Further to reports by thelondondailynews.com yesterday regarding the closure of the Caracas branch of the Greater London Authority - Mayor Boris Johnson is now to review all GLA foreign outposts.

Dubbed 'Ken embassies" during the elections, offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Brussels and a consultancy branch in Moscow will be under the microscope by a mayor determined to "curtail" spending.

Potentially £1.4 million of savings

The seven offices, funded by the GLA, cost £1.4million to run last year. Mr Johnson said:

"We will look at the Brussels office and its role in pre-empting potentially harmful European legislation.

"We will consider the role of the Indian and Chinese offices in encouraging inward investment and business opportunities for London.

"We will also look at which functions could be performed by the UK's foreign embassies.

"We will also assess whether other sources of funding, including sponsorship, should be used." 

The review carried out by deputy mayor for government relations Ian Clement will report back by the autumn.