London's mayor seems to struggle with science. Time for a chief scientific adviser

Boris Johnson appears to favour the views of friends and associates on issues such as pollution and climate change. The next mayor needs specialist advice

One of the priorities for the next mayor of London should be to appoint a chief scientific adviser. The current mayor has a range of advisers, but has clearly lacked expert guidance on the scientific aspects of key issues such as local air pollution and climate change. The time has come to seek specialist advice to help deal with the wide variety of risks and opportunities facing those living and working in the capital.

Boris Johnson has, for instance, struggled to come to terms with the findings of researchers at King's College London, who have estimated that more than 9,000 people die in London each year from dust and nitrogen dioxide in the air.