Mayor Boris Johnson is a 'knight on shining bicycle'

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 19:46

BORIS Johnson gave the Queen a tour of the 2012 Olympics site in east London yesterday, after being hailed as a "knight on a shining bicycle".

The London mayor went to the aid of a woman being attacked by a group of girls, chasing them down the street – even though one had an iron bar.

Franny Armstrong, documentary maker and climate change activist, was walking home in Camden, North London, on Monday night when she was surrounded by a group of hoodie-wearing girls and pushed against a car. She called out for help to a passing cyclist, who turned out to be Mr Johnson.

He stopped and chased the girls down the street, calling them "oiks", according to Ms Armstrong.

Ms Armstrong directed the film Age of Stupid and is the founder of the 10:10 campaign, which aims to cut 10 per cent of carbon emissions in 2010.

"I noticed that one (of the girls] had an iron bar in her hand. It was very frightening. At that moment a man cycled past and I called out for help.

"He picked up the iron bar, called after the girls and cycled after them. He returned a few minutes later and walked me home.

"He was my knight on a shining bicycle."

Ms Armstrong admitted she did not agree with Mr Johnson's politics and had voted for his rival Ken Livingstone in the mayoral elections.