A BORIS Johnson aide has apologised and branded himself “an idiot” over claims Greenwich Council tried to book Bryan Ferry for £60,000.

Daniel Ritterband, the mayor’s director of marketing, came unstuck during a budget meeting at City Hall.

He had claimed the council tried to book the Let’s Stick Together singer to open SportAccord, a promotional event held at the IndigO2 in April.

But both the council and the mayor’s office have since denied spending Greenwich taxpayers’ money on the event, which the singer pulled out of due to ill health.

In a letter to the council, Mr Ritterband asks for forgiveness, saying: “I am writing to apologise for my incorrect statements given at the Budget and Performance committee last week - I'm an idiot!

“I have no defence for my stupidity and should have been more prepared for the questions.”