Boris urged to re-think giant World Cup screens

Labour's leader at City Hall writes to Mayor Boris Johnson asking him to re-think his decision not to erect giant video screens to show England's World Cup matches in London.

Len Duvall, leader of the Labour group on the London Assembly, has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson urging him to "reconsider" his decision not to go ahead with plans to show England's World Cup matches in public. The Mayor was criticised by fans' groups earlier this week for flying to the World Cup in South Africa and cancelling plans to erect giant video screens.

The letter urges the Mayor to go beyond his commitment to "see a suitable celebration" should England reach the final stages and to follow the successful example of other UK cities.

Len Duvall said: "It shouldn't be beyond the wit of the Mayor to make this happen. It's happened before and it's been a success elsewhere so unless there's a good reason that I haven't heard, London shouldn't be missing out. As England progress Boris should re-think his decision and give the fans what they want."

On Twitter earlier today, Len Duvall urged the Mayor to make right his previous decision: "let's get the World Cup on big screens in London. You made the wrong call. Now make it right.", Len tweeted. 

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DOWNLOAD LEN'S LETTER
 
The Mayor was labelled a "hypocrite" by fans earlier this week after, according the Evening Standard, the Greater London Authority shelved plans to erect a big screen in Regent's Park which would allow up to 20,000 fans to watch matches. According to press reports, "the GLA ditched the move because of a 'range of factors' including cost and 'practical considerations'" http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23845059-london-fans-blame-boris-as-they-miss-world-cup-big-screen-action.do