Londoners urged to fight Tory fire station closures

He launched a 12-week consultation today and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called on people to fight the "reckless" cuts that pose the biggest threat to the service "since the Blitz."

Mr Johnson wants to slash the city's emergency services in order to hand residents a tiny reduction in their council tax.

Defending the £28 million cuts package today, Tory fire authority chairman James Cleverly said London will still have the "best fire and rescue service in the country while also playing its part in helping balance the nation's finances."

But Fire Brigades Union regional secretary Paul Embery explained the plans will mean firefighters will arrive later at emergencies across the city, leaving 5 million residents in 20 boroughs in "serious danger."

Labour fire authority member Andrew Dismore AM added: "We are deeply concerned that the cuts will jeopardise the safety and security of Londoners, all for the dubious benefit of a penny a day off the council tax."

London's Fire and Emergency Planning Authority twice rejected a consultation on the cuts but were finally forced to give it the go-ahead after Mr Johnson threatened court action.

The plans are part of the mayor's latest budget, which was passed without amendment by London's Assembly last week despite co-ordinated resistance from Labour, Green and Lib Dem members.

Over 100,000 people have already signed an online petition to stop the Mayor putting "profit before saving people's lives."