Sadiq Khan to Sell Boris Johnson's Water Cannons, and Spend the Money on Youth Services

The £200,000 cannons have never even been used.

One of the most controversial acquisitions of Boris Johnson’s years as London Mayor was the purchase of three water cannons, costing £200,000. These were bought for the Met Police following the London riots, despite concerns over the safety of using them on crowds — in fact Home Secretary Theresa May later ruled that they could not be used in England and Wales as they had "the capacity to cause harm”. So they’ve just sat there, unused since Johnson got them.

Now new Mayor Sadiq Kahn has said that he will sell the cannons. And even better, he says the money will go to youth services. 

Speaking at his first London debate, Kahn said:

One of the deals Boris Johnson managed to do with the Germans was to buy three water cannon. What I’m going to do is sell them and use the money for youth services. This shows the inability of Boris Johnson to get a good deal. Second hand, paid almost £250,000. We’re paying for storage facilities for these water cannon. That beggars belief.

[via Evening Standard]

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