Boris 'Barclays' Johnson Pledges To Change Name In Support Of Bank

'Barclays' Johnson: Mayor Pledges To Change Name In Support Of Bank

In a staunch defence of London's financial centre, Boris Johnson has pledged to change his name to "Barclays Johnson" if the under-fire bank invests more money in the capital.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph on Monday, the mayor said the UK needs a "confident and dynamic banking sector" to help support new industries and hit out at critics of the City in the wake of the rate-fixing scandal.

"It is time for British politicians to say it loud and clear and in unison: we need bankers, my friends!," he writes.

"We need bankers who are not just cautious, owlish Polonius figures. We need bankers who are willing to take punts and put their necks on the line."

"Someone the other day suggested that it might be embarrassing to have Barclays pay £50 million to help fund cycling in London.

He added: "Listen, buster, I said, if they give us another £50 million I will change my name to Barclays Johnson."

That seems like a good use of the bank's millions to us.