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• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I'm trying to find out what powers you actually have when the Mayor is away. Supposing there was a 11 September situation, for example a plane crashed into the House of Commons, the Mayor was in Australia, all flights were postponed, as they were after 11 September, and there's you, in London, in charge. What actions could you take in such a situation?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

I was not suggesting anything like that. I was asking you what real decisions you would make. Despite the marvels of modern communication, it seems unlikely that it would be possible to communicate, even with your literary skills, precisely what was happening here in London to the Mayor, and the chances are therefore that you would have to make some decisions on your own. What kind of decisions would they be? Indeed, what decisions have you made on your own?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

So you would accept that you could not reassure Londoners, despite the fact that you are the anointed one, that the Mayor has laid his hands upon you and that he has given you full powers?

• Question by: Tony Arbour
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Would you write her speeches in those circumstances?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Thank you, Simon. I want to give you full opportunity to shine because what emerges from the discussion so far, what we've focused on, is the process by which the office functions and the decisions that are taken. What emerges is a very central role for you as filter of lots of advice, controller of the diary, and so forth. That risks having you in the position of a shadowy figure operating in the background without transparency in the public seeing what you're up to. Could you just tell us what is the thing that you're most proud of having...

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Okay, so you help set the thing up and those teething troubles were sorted out. You're well paid, Londoners would think, out of their money, to do a job. We're trying to see whether you're doing a good job. What difference do you think you're actually making, you personally, that Londoners perhaps would notice?

• Question by: Mike Tuffrey
• Meeting date: 12 June 2002

Is everything functioning perfectly now? How do you think things should improve in terms of the way the Mayor's office works and your role within it particularly?