Watchdog sacked for mayor support

Mr Cooke's four-year term was due to end in September 2008

The head of London's travel watchdog has been sacked for "inappropriate political activity".

Brian Cooke, former chairman of London TravelWatch, issued a statement declaring his support for Boris Johnson days before the mayoral election.

He said in the statement that Ken Livingstone's approach to transport policy was "arrogant".

The London Assembly's transport committee decided Mr Cooke's statement breached the terms of his appointment.

'No other choice'

The assembly, which funds London TravelWatch, agreed by majority vote to terminate his appointment with immediate effect.

Labour's Transport spokesperson Val Shawcross said: "The committee took the view that Brian Cooke's reputation as an impartial representative of London's travelling public had been irreversibly damaged.

"It is sad for Brian that he had to leave in these circumstances but by making his political views public he compromised TravelWatch and seriously breached the conditions of his appointment.

"The committee really had no other choice."

Mr Cooke's four-year term of office was due to end on 30 September this year, and the recruitment process for a new chairman and board members is already under way.