The mayor’s decision to permanently axe fire engines demonstrates his “utter disdain” for the democratic process, the borough’s City Hall representative has claimed.

John Biggs AM was reacting to Boris Johnson’s move to adopt one of two options to axe £11m from the London Fire Brigade’s budget earlier this month.

This will see two fire engines in Stratford and Plaistow taken permanently out of operation from the end of this week – a move opposed by 70 per cent of those who took part in the public consultation.

Despite Assembly Members’ vote against the measure, Boris Johnson went with fire commissioner Ron Dobson’s recommendation to back engine loss over alternate crewing, the other of the two options.

“Boris Johnson’s dictatorial approach in forcing through these cuts betrays his utter disdain for proper democratic process,” said Tower Hamlets’ mayor. “Local people in Newham are going to be understandably furious that the Mayor has ignored their views and forced through his cuts to their local fire services.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London added: “After carefully considering the issues raised by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the results of the public consultation exercise, he has decided to direct LFEPA to follow the Fire Commissioner’s preferred option.