Euro-MP Jean Lambert has criticised London mayor Boris Johnson over a ‘cover-up’ on air pollution, calling for action in Tower Hamlets.

Euro-MP Jean Lambert has criticised London mayor Boris Johnson over a ‘cover-up’ on air pollution, calling for action in Tower Hamlets.

In the last year alone, air pollution has been responsible for 71 premature deaths in the area – a higher proportion than nearby boroughs Hackney and City of London.

Ms Lambert, Green MEP for London, visited some of the borough’s pollution hotspots on Monday and hopes more can be done to prevent further deaths.

“Every one of these 71 victims was somebody’s father, mother, son or daughter, and is a personal tragedy for family and friends,” she said.

“This silent killer is mainly caused by exhaust fumes – but rather than try to deal with the problem we know London Mayor Boris Johnson has tried to cover up the problem.

“He has sought to water down EU safety legislation rather than comply with it.”

Ms Lambert joined mayoral candidate Chris Smith and Clean Air in London director Simon Birkett on Tower Hamlets’ streets.

In addition to calling for high-level action she believes the solution also lies in changing local motorists’ attitudes.

“We need Tower Hamlets to adopt a significant programme of monitoring, mitigation and education to bring the number of these tragic cases down,” she added.