Visit London distances itself from former director – 28 Dec 2006

Visit London has distanced itself from former London Tourist Board director Annabel Geddes after it was reported she was a British National Party member with racist opinions.

A spokeswoman for the Government tourist board, which succeeded the London Tourist Board, said Geddes has had no contact with either board for more than 20 years after she quit as a director in 1984.

Instead, the spokeswoman backed London’s racial diversity, adding: “Visit London knows that the international diversity and cultural inclusivity of London is one of its strongest attractions for both Londoners and visitors. The tourist industry in London generates £15 billion of income for the city and supports 280,000 jobs.

“The views attributed to Annabel Geddes do not reflect the values of Visit London, and London’s tourist industry, and are potentially damaging to the incomes and jobs of Londoners.”

Geddes’ comments were published in a national newspaper last week in which she was reported to have described Asian immigrants as a “bloody bore” and black people as “ghastly” to an undercover journalist.