TfL MUST HALT TALKS ON MOBILE PHONE ACCESS UNDERGROUND

1.30.03pm GMT Fri 19th Mar 2004

Simon argues texting is a luxury, but security is not

Commenting on reports that London Underground is to reassess talks with mobile phone companies on the introduction of mobile phone access on underground Tube lines, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes said:

"I welcome the speedy response to the suggestion I put yesterday morning to the Managing Director of London Underground that there should be no early move to permitting use of mobile phones on the underground parts of the Tube.

"There needs to be a thorough review of the advantages and risks of such a development in technology if we are not to accentuate the dangers of bombings that afflicted Madrid, Iraq and Bali.

"London can be assured that if they vote for a Liberal Democrat in June, they will have a mayor who understands security and is determined to have practical solutions to keeping our city safe, prosperous, and moving."

ENDS