Bloomberg amused by Boris’s naff gift

According to New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, his London counterpart Boris Johnson still has a lot to learn when it comes to receiving dignitaries to the city, namely himself. In this week's Spectator, the billionaire owner of the Bloomberg news agency writes about his first meeting with the new London mayor two weeks ago.

"He had only been in office for a week, and so he was not yet accustomed to some of the diplomatic niceties of the job: when I presented him with a crystal apple from Tiffany's, he was caught off guard and had to improvise, pulling out a shirt with a map of the Tube on it."

Bloomberg (pictured) received the gift with grace, but adds: "It was hilariously awful, and for that reason I will always treasure it - even if I never wear it. (And I can assure you I won't)."