Boris Johnson called a p***k in final hours as mayor

(Reuters)

Boris Johnson has said a cyclist called him a "prick" as he opened a new cycle project in his final hours as London mayor.

The Conservative MP said he had received a "hail of abuse" from motorists and others during the development of the cycle superhighway, joking that cyclists were now joining in on its opening day.

He added that such a reaction showed why London is a great city, noting people would not dare to swear at the mayor in other places.

Mr Johnson, in his final Ask Boris on LBC Radio as mayor of the capital, was questioned about his favourite part of the job.

He replied: "Every day is different and I've loved every moment of it.

"I've just come from opening the latest cycle superhighway. There were hundreds of cyclists who were really enthusiastic and going 'Three cheers' and all this sort of stuff, and the cameras were running.

"Then this cyclist came up, I was doing my final bit to camera about how proud I was, and this cyclist came past and went 'Prick'."

Presenter Nick Ferrari, laughing, apologised for the language, with Mr Johnson adding: "Sorry, you might have to cut that.

"But it's absolutely true. I thought, 'That is the job of mayor of London'."

He added: "You sweat blood to deliver a project that is unbelievably politically, bureaucratically, diplomatically difficult.

"You get a hail of abuse from the people in the limos, the Financial Times has gone absolutely crazy about this thing, the cab drivers don't like it, all that sort of thing, and then finally on day one, the cyclists themselves.

"But that's why it's a great city. Can I just say, there are cities around the world where people wouldn't dare to do that. It's worth thinking about."

PA