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Newly knighted Michael Bloomberg denies he wants to be mayor of London

This article is more than 4 years old

Anglophile former mayor of New York insists he has ‘zero chance’ and ‘zero interest’ in succeeding Boris Johnson

Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York, has denied rumours he plans to stand for election to be London’s next mayor after Boris Johnson steps down.

Speaking at the British embassy in Washington after receiving an honorary knighthood from the Queen, Bloomberg, 73, said he had “zero chance, zero interest” in the position, the New York Times reported.

Bloomberg’s denial puts an end to widespread speculation about his intentions, both in the UK and the US. On Monday, Boris Johnson – whom Bloomberg has in the past referred to as a “kindred spirit” – expressed support for his ally. In a post on Facebook, Johnson joked that the 12-year mayor of New York’s previous position was only training for the real job “You have done the apprenticeship. Now is the time to step up to the plate, and take on the fastest-growing and most dynamic urban economy in Europe,” he said.
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