Tory London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey says basic income would be used to buy ‘lots of drugs’

Latest in string of controversial comments by Sadiq Khan’s main rival

Tory Mayor of London canddiate Shaun Bailey

The Tory candidate for Mayor of London has dismissed the idea of a universal basic income on the grounds that it would be used to buy "lots of drugs".

Shaun Bailey said proposals for unconditional payments did not take the “human condition” and suggested that people could not be trusted with cash.

His comments came during a debate at the London Assembly, where Green and Liberal Democrat members are arguing for the introduction of flat-rate universal benefit.

But Mr Bailey said: “I’ve been a youth worker for over 20 years. I know some people would absolutely fly if you gave them a lump sum to deal with every week.

"I know some people who would buy lots of drugs. So where is the care in this, where is the care for the person? How do you get past just universally giving people money?”

Bailey also questioned whether providing people with more cash could “drive prices up for basic goods when we know people could just buy them because the money’s there”.

Simon Duffy, the founder of the Centre for Welfare Reform think-tank, branded Mr Bailey's claim "extraordinary".

Speaking at the same hearing, Mr Duffy replied: “I’m sure the people spending most of the money are not the poor – they’re the well-off. It’s your City traders and their cocaine habits. Where’s the love for them?”.

The Conservative candidate, who trails incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan by a large margin in the polls, was ridiculed for his comments.

Labour MP Karen Buck said: "I’ve seen some thoughtful critiques of the Universal Basic Income idea over the years but I hadn’t come across one which basically suggests no one should ever be trusted with money".

She added that Mr Bailey appeared to believe that "people with less money should be trusted least of all".

Mr Bailey's campaign has been dogged by a series of gaffes that have apparently failed to endear him to Londoners, who are expected to re-elect his opponent in May.

The Tory candidate was criticised after he gave an interview to The Sun newspaper last week suggesting teenage mothers were pushing people who “do the right thing” down the housing ladder.

He was also accused of being out-of-touch after suggesting homeless Londoners could save up £5,000 for a deposit to buy a house.

A spokesperson for MrBailey’s campaign said: “Shaun Bailey has over twenty years of experience as a youth worker. He’s been homeless and he’s been out of work. So Shaun won’t take any lectures from career politicians on what life is like for those struggling to get on.

“Instead of scoring political points, Shaun Bailey is focused on building a city where every resident in every community can thrive – and he’s using his two decades of experience as a youth worker to deliver a fresh start for London.”