Boris dispenses with Matthew Freud

Boris Johnson (pictured), the London mayor, has dispensed with the services of Freud Communications, the public relations company owned by Rupert Murdoch's son-in-law Matthew Freud. The move could be seen as "regime change" - Freud's original contract came from Johnson's predecessor Ken Livingstone - however a County Hall spokesman claimed it was merely a cost-cutting measure, which will save the London taxpayer more than £100,000 a month.

In times past, Freud's company have organised media campaigns and events for the mayoral office, including Johnson's trip to the Beijing Olympics in the Summer. But Freud, who is married to the Australian tycoon's daughter Elisabeth, will not struggle. As well as a roster of celebrity clients, among them Simon Cowell, he also has the Pepsi, Nike and the London Olympics accounts.