TfL Commissioner Andy Lord is facing serious allegations regarding his statements about graffiti on the London Underground. These accusations arose after a clean-up operation conducted by the non-profit organization Looking For Growth (LFG).
Graffiti Accusations Spark Controversy
During a meeting of the Greater London Assembly earlier this year, Lord claimed there was evidence of individuals creating graffiti only to remove it later. He indicated that this evidence was under investigation by the relevant authorities. However, this assertion has come under fire.
Lack of Supporting Evidence
A Freedom of Information request revealed that Transport for London (TfL) could not provide any evidence substantiating Lord’s claims. TfL staff reportedly struggled to find any information that would support Lord’s allegations. Emails have surfaced showing staff questioning whether any evidence existed at all.
- One email included inquiries about the existence of evidence linking the claims to criminal behavior.
- Despite thorough searches, no definitive answers were found.
Official Responses
LFG Director Lawrence Newport labeled the allegations as “absurd and wrong.” He emphasized that volunteers should not be tarnished by unfounded claims made in the London Assembly. Co-founder Joe Reeve expressed his outrage, stating that the emails demonstrate TfL lied about the volunteers’ actions.
Reeve stated, “Our team worked hard to clean the tube, while TfL failed to do so. Andy Lord should apologize for his misleading statements.”
TfL’s Justification
A TfL spokesperson attempted to clarify Lord’s position, asserting that his comments were based on information he received verbally. The spokesperson further mentioned that this topic falls within TfL’s broader graffiti reduction strategy aimed at mitigating vandalism.
Call for Action
In light of the situation, Looking For Growth has not only requested an apology from Andy Lord but has also invited him to join their next clean-up effort. This gesture seeks to address the allegations and reinforce the group’s commitment to improving London’s public transport.
As the controversy unfolds, the implications surrounding the accusations of lying about Tube graffiti continue to attract public and media attention.
