London Mayor Boris Johnson insists it is the "function of BBC journalists to bash up politicians, particularly people like me", following a disastrous interview with Eddie Mair on The Andrew Marr Show. Read more...

The Mayor of London, widely considered a potential successor to Prime Minister David Cameron, looked distinctly uncomfortable as he was grilled about past misdemeanours on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show by presenter Eddie Mair on Sunday.

The interview which dwelled on a range of issues from the Mayor's past including fabricating quotes and agreeing to help a friend with a plot to get someone beaten up, was described as "disgusting" and "low" by his father Stanley on Monday.

However, speaking whilst launching a new policing iniatitive in the capital with Bernard Hogan-Howe, Mr Johnson defended the right of BBC journalists to be "hard" on politicians.

"It is the function of BBC journalists to bash up polticians, particularly people like me." Mr Johnson told reporters.

He added: "Fair play to Eddie, he landed a good one.

"If the BBC can't bash Tory politicans, what is the point of the BBC?"

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