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Ken swaps London for Caracas to advise Chavez

28/08/2008

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is to become a consultant for controversial Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

He will advise on urban planning in the capital, Caracas.

"President Chavez has asked that I continue to work with the city and its new mayors to use the experience of London to actually give form to his dream that this can be a first world city in a first world country," he said.

"I am proud and honoured to be in a position to be able to offer my advice to those candidates as they start the task of transforming this city for the benefit of all its people."

The move comes just as London's fuel deal with Venezuela is allowed to lapse by Boris Johnson's administration in City Hall.

The deal secured cheap fuel for senior Londoners in exchange for London's advice on urban planning in Caracas. Mr Livingstone now says he is fulfilling that deal.