Published Date:
26 September 2008
THE MAYOR of London, Boris Johnson, has declined an offer to visit Eastbourne after criticising the town in the national press, claiming he is 'snowed under'.
Mr Johnson slammed the town in his column in The Telegraph back in July, saying that 'whatever happens' the resort would not feature in his holiday plans.
He dismissed popular English resorts such as Eastbourne and Bognor and said he would be opting for a foreign holiday.
He wrote, "Some time before the end of August I will grab a week's leave, like a half-starved sea lion snatching an airborne mackerel, and whatever happens that leave will not be taken in some boarding house in Eastbourne."
He added that it was his 'patriotic duty to find a destination as sunny and foreign as possible'.
Eastbourne Borough Council's spokesperson for tourism, Councillor Steve Wallis, retaliated by saying the council would pen a letter to the blundering Tory, listing Eastbourne's attractions and inviting him to come and visit.
Mr Johnson's reply was received this week.
He said, "Alas, I am snowed under at the moment and I won't be able to take you up on your kind offer."
Cllr Wallis added, "I am very disappointed in Boris' response to our exciting invitation to enjoy a first class visit to Eastbourne.
"With some outstanding statistics this year, it is clear that Boris is alone in his decision to stay away from Eastbourne in 2008.
"We will be writing to Boris again using our impressive tourism figures to challenge his negative reply."
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Last Updated:
26 September 2008 8:20 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Eastbourne