Why Diamond is Boris’s best friend

After much huffing and puffing, the Conservatives' London mayoral candidate Boris Johnson has finally named one of his would-be advisors. Step forward Robert 'Bob' Diamond, the American President of Barclays PLC. The 57-year-old banker will take charge of the Mayor's Fund - a project aimed at getting city types to stump up for community schemes - should Johnson triumph in his bid to become mayor on May 1.

"This is good news for London taxpayers," said a City source. Diamond is a very wealthy man – last year he made a cool £23m – and will not be drawing a salary for his work, only expenses. And, unlike most bankers who prefer to keep a low profile, he's very comfortable about being in the public eye. Last year he took charge of handing over the Premiership football trophy, which Barclays sponsor, to Chelsea, a team he coincidentally supports. "I can see why he and Boris would get on," said our source. "Both adore being the centre of attention."