by Suzanne Beishon

BORIS JOHNSON was quizzed yesterday about the Information Commissioner’s demand for the release of the financial details of West Ham’s Olympic Stadium move, saying he would be “perfectly happy” for the information to be made public.

The Hammers and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) — which was founded to handle the future of the 2012 site — have so far refused to release the details of their deal, arguing that they should stay private for commercial confidentiality.

But on Tuesday, the Information Commissioner ruled that the details should be disclosed, after a group of supporters' trusts started a petition to demand their publication.

The coalition of supporters’ trusts had called on the London mayor to not appeal against the decision of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which could also be appealed against by West Ham.

In a statement published before Mayor's Questions, the group said: “The Information Commissioner’s decision could not have been clearer, and it is equally clear to us that publication must follow.

“This campaign is publicly backed by 25,000 individuals, football supporters’ trusts from around the country, and the public interest in the issue is there for all to see.

“We call on the mayor not to use the appeal system to delay publication of this document further. If he does it will open him up to the suspicion that he has something to hide.”

Buckling under the pressure, the mayor said yesterday: “I would be perfectly happy to publish the details of the arrangement.

“I understand the football club concerned is not so keen because they think it will give other clubs an insight into their finances and so forth.”

The MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip was quizzed on the deal by Labour London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore, who said the mayor had wanted to cover up the “anti-competitive” contract until the Information Commissioner’s ruling “because the football club has taken you to the cleaners.”

But Mr Johnson argued: “We’ve got nothing to hide, we’ve got a very good rental agreement with West Ham and it’s fantastic that we will not be spending any more public money on this, so let’s get it out there.”

West Ham, who are set to take on a 99-year tenancy at the stadium from next season, said in a statement: “West Ham United shares the mayor’s view that our presence at the former Olympic Stadium guarantees it a viable and sustainable future.

“The LLDC have stated their disappointment at the ICO ruling as they believe it will damage their ability to secure the best deal for the taxpayer in future and we share those sentiments.

“The club would like to point out, so that everyone is 100 per cent clear, that it is not party to the Freedom of Information Act, and that the Information Commissioner’s Office ruling is not against West Ham United, it is against the LLDC.

“The club is now working with the LLDC to decide the appropriate next step.”