Conservative London Mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson on BBC 1 TV's Question Time on April 24  said that "If we are to have a Polish festival, I was saying I would encourage a Polish vodka company to sponsor it, that's all."

Johnson attempted to clarify accusations from rival Ken Livingstone's camp that Johnson has threatened to withdraw public funding from the entire range of festivals which celebrate London's diverse communities.

He has tried to cover this up by saying at an Evening Standard event that he will continue to 'put on some festivals', but only if 'he can sponsor them with private cash rather than public funds'.

Following the comment made in the Evening Standard, Johnson's campaign has refused to answer questions from journalists as to whether he will maintain the current levels of funding to the range of festivals staged by London's diverse communities.

This ending of Greater London Authority support could eliminate all the main festivals celebrating London's communities, as they all rely on the public funding provided by the Mayor, either to go ahead at all, or to achieve the large scale of event that means they are open to all Londoners.

The festivals currently receiving financial support from the Mayor include: Chinese New Year; St Patrick's Day; St George's Day; Vaisakhi; Africa Day; Baishakhi Mela; Pride and Soho Pride; Rise; Carnival del Pueblo; London Mela; Notting Hill Carnival; Liberty – disability arts festival; Thames Festival; Trafalgar Square summer festival; the Jewish Simcha on the Square; Chanukkah; Black History Month events; Diwali; Eid; Celebrating Sanctuary (refugee festival); Capital Age; Festival of Youth Arts.

Most of these are dependent upon the funding delivered via the Mayor's Office or London agencies like the LDA.

The proposal to have a cultural policy in London that will be funded only by private sponsorship, and withdrawal of GLA support will strike a huge blow to London's communities.