I'm afraid that it has become increasingly clear to me that there is very little that I can agree with Ken Livingstone on in transport policy

Steve Norris

Mr Livingstone said he had made the decision because of "gratuitous attacks" by Mr Norris on the policy of the Transport for London (TfL) board.

Mr Norris's business interests were also making his position increasingly untenable, Mr Livingstone said.

But the former Conservative minister argued that it was common knowledge that he earned his living in the transport world.

"I have taken on some new consultancies, I have lost some others but I have always been very straightforward about what I do," Mr Norris said.

"I never speak out on issues where I have any conflict of interest and always acted entirely properly - that's a blind, that's a very typical Livingstone smear."

He accused Mr Livingstone of being obsessed with the next mayoral election.

"Ken may be thinking about re-election, most of us are thinking about getting something done in the next four years."

Mr Livingstone's decision to sack Mr Norris comes after growing tension between the two men over transport plans, especially the mayor's plans to introduce congestion charges for drivers bringing cars into central London.

'Edgy about criticism'

Mr Norris, who is thought likely to challenge Mr Livingstone at the next mayoral elections, earlier told BBC News he was unsurprised by the move, saying it showed the Mayor was "edgy about criticism".

This is proof that Livingstone can't take criticism about his barmy transport plans

Bob Neill, Conservative group leader, GLA

The Tory candidate in last year's election was, like Liberal Democrat Susan Kramer, invited to join the TfL board, despite his opposition to the congestion charging plans.

Mr Livingstone, who chairs the TfL board, said: "I have informed Steve Norris this evening that with immediate effect he has been removed from the board of Transport for London because of his gratuitous attacks on the board's transport policy.

'Paid consultancies'

"Furthermore, Mr Norris has accumulated a number of paid transport-related consultancies that have made his position on the board increasingly untenable since he is conflicted out and is therefore unable to participate in most of the board's key debates."

Norris reaction

Commenting on his dismissal, Mr Norris said: "I'm afraid that it has become increasingly clear to me that there is very little that I can agree with Ken Livingstone on in transport policy.

"He has made an absolute mess of congestion charging, he has made the situation on Tube funding significantly worse.

"I am very disappointed at the complete lack of progress and I think it will become increasingly clear to Londoners that he simply isn't delivering.

"Ken appears to be fixated on the idea that I am about to be his next election opponent."

'Seeking nomination'

Mr Norris added: "If I do seek nomination for the next mayoral election it will be for the Conservatives - I wouldn't stand for any other party or as an independent - so it is a matter for them to decide, but I think it tells you a lot about Ken that he is already more focused on the politics than the delivery.

"When he appointed me, Ken said he wanted a broad church, but he has found it impossible to live with."