Boris 'bruising showdown' over firefighter lock-out

Now the mayor has ordered the Fire Commissioner to investigate the cost of preventing fire fighters returning to work between stoppages. But members of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority have passed an amendment calling on the mayor to reconsider.

The mayor was involved in another spat with members of LFEPA last year when they tried to defy his attempt to close fire stations.

Boris Johnson is on course for another bruising showdown with his fire authority over plans to lock-out striking firefighters.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have been staging a series of two-hour strikes in a row over pensions.