Boris Johnson: a truly liberal authoritarian

From The Independent:

Boris Johnson has called for the removal of "stupid" spikes installed outside a London housing development as a deterrent to homeless people...

The spikes have been compared to similar measures used to keep pigeons off roofs and statues across London, and criticised in an online petition as "sending [homeless people] the message that they are pests that need to be warded off"...

Mr Johnson tweeted today: "Spikes outside Southwark housing development to deter rough sleeping are ugly, self defeating and stupid. Developer should remove them ASAP."

From The Independent:

Boris Johnson has been accused of “playing politics” over the safety of London’s streets by ordering the purchase of three water cannon from Germany before the Home Secretary has given permission for their use.

... critics say that the need for water cannon on mainland Britain has never been proven, and that Mr Johnson should be "ashamed" of using such an important issue to launch a political offensive at a time when he sees Ms May as “weakened” by her row with Michael Gove...

Scotland Yard welcomed the purchase, saying that following the riots in 2011 the Metropolitan Police believed water cannon would “allow us to more effectively and safely tackle the most extreme disorder”.