Johnson 'F-word tirade' at MP Vaz

The phone conversation followed Mr Johnson's session with the committee

London Mayor Boris Johnson is alleged to have launched a verbal tirade at Keith Vaz, the Labour chair of the Commons Home Affairs committee.

The two clashed in a phone conversation after Mr Johnson gave evidence to the committee about a Tory MP's arrest.

The Evening Standard says committee members were told by Mr Vaz that "the mayor used the F-word ten times".

Mr Johnson's aides deny that he swore so many times, instead saying that he "once or twice used strong language".

In a statement in response to the newspaper report, a spokeswoman for the London mayor said the two had held a private conversation after "Mr Vaz and a committee colleague appeared on BBC television accusing the mayor of being uncooperative and confused".

"The mayor made his points forcefully and once or twice used strong language, because he believes he has been cooperative and courteous on all the issues of concern to the committee and sought to answer every further question that has been put to him," she added.

"Despite this, Mr Vaz has repeatedly suggested otherwise."

'Levels of respect'

The conversation took place last week after Mr Johnson gave evidence to the committee about his conversations with Conservative leader David Cameron about the arrest of Tory MP Damian Green.

Details of the conversation have been revealed the day after Labour MP Mr Vaz wrote to the Conservative mayor saying his committee had "deep concerns" about the evidence it had been given.

Mr Vaz said in his letter that his committee was also concerned about the "level of respect and courtesy shown".

He accused Mr Johnson of giving four different accounts of events ahead of Tory MP Damian Green's arrest.

Mr Johnson wrote back to Mr Vaz later on Tuesday to provide more details and said he had fully co-operated with the committee and regretted suggestions to the contrary.