London mayor Boris Johnson has agreed to be blasted by a water cannon to prove they are safe for use in the capital.
Johnson has purchased three second-hand water cannons for use by the Metropolitan Police at a cost of £127,000.
The move was seen as a serious challenge to home secretary Theresa May, who has not yet granted permission for use of the crowd control equipment.
Johnson was initially hesitant when asked by LBC Radio whether he would stand in front of a water cannon to prove their safety.
The London mayor questioned the logistics of the stunt, asking ‘what do we wear?’, ‘how far away do we have to stand?’ and later putting forward the use of umbrellas for protection.
‘I’m certainly prepared to do anything to prove they are safe, within reason,’ he said. ‘I don’t mind proving they are safe in any reasonable way.’
‘I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve it,’ Johnson added.
But the mayor finally buckled, admitting himself that ‘it sounds like a very good photo opportunity’.
‘Alright you’ve challenged me to this, I suppose I’m going to have to do it now. I can see all my poor press people are going to be tearing their hair out.’
‘Never mind, it’s got to be done!’ Johnson concluded.
Photo: fotostory/Shutterstock.com
