The London Mayor was accused of outdoing Ebenezer Scrooge as it emerged that his tube junk food ban ad could hit Macmillan's Cancer support adverts for cake and coffee mornings
SADIQ Khan has been accused of "outgoing Ebenezer Scrooge" as it emerged that his tube junk food ban ad could hit charities and Christmas treat ads.
The London Mayor's decision to scrap junk food ads on the tube is set to cost trouble-hit TFL £13million already, critics say.
The Mayor was grilled on his plan yesterday, after it emerged that it could crack down on Macmillan, who use ads to promote their coffee and cake mornings.
And it would also mean that any Christmassy treats such as mince pies could also face the axe.
Andrew Boff AM said: “Londoners will be horrified to learn that the Mayor has such a nasty Christmas present in store for Macmillan Cancer Support.
"Macmillan rely heavily on donations in order to carry out their invaluable work, yet Sadiq Khan has chosen to ban them from advertising one of their key fundraising events.
He said the ban was entirely flawed and should be scrapped" - or put in exemptions for people like Macmillan.
And he said: “Hardworking Londoners deserve a treat or two over the festive period, yet our Grinch of a Mayor is set to ban the promotion of much-loved seasonal favourites such as mince pies and Christmas pudding.
“Far from showing goodwill to all men, Khan appears to be giving Ebenezer Scrooge a run for his money.”
Mr Khan said they were "very happy to tweak averts to make sure they don't fall foul", he said.
"It was never my intention to be Ebenezer Scrooge, does that help?" he added.
And he argued that the loss would not be anywhere near as much as predicted.
"I'd be astonished if Macmillan's coffee mornings weren't advertised on the TFL estate on the future as they were in the past," he told Mr Boff.
And he wouldn't give up on his commitment to make London healthier, the Mayor said.
The 'world's biggest coffee morning' is organised by the charity to help raise money for Brits with cancer.
They have raised more than £25million from events in the past.
The ban on junk food ads on the tube will kick in next February as part of moves to tackle childhood obesity.
A Macmillan Spokesman said today: “We are aware of the forthcoming changes to rules around advertising on London transport.
"We are working to fully understand the implications for World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, and make sure that we are still able to raise awareness and encourage people to take part in this annual fundraising event.”
Promoting products such as burgers, chocolate and sugary drinks will be banned across the tube and bus network.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “Adverts for charity fundraising events, such as cake sales or coffee mornings, would not face an automatic ban from the Transport for London network under the Mayor’s policy.
“This policy is not about telling Londoners what they can and can’t eat or drink. Its purpose is to remove advertising which promotes food and drinks which are high in fat, salt and sugar.
"Adverts which feature incidental images of these products may be permitted under the policy – we would always seek to engage with the advertiser to help them fully understand the policy and its aims, particularly charities seeking to promote their events and activities on the TfL network.
“Child obesity is a ticking timebomb in London and the Mayor makes no apologies for taking bold steps to tackle it head-on.”
The news comes as England's Chief medical officer today said that chocolate and crisps should be taxed to bring down the price of fruit and veg.
Dame Sally Davies declared herself “chief nanny” with radical plans to tackle the obesity.
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