The public sector has a duty to help the private sector during the recession, London mayor, Boris Johnson, told the capital's civic leaders last week. Speaking at the London Government dinner at the Mansion House, hosted by the lord mayor and attended by chief executives, mayors and leaders from the 33 London boroughs, Mr Johnson said: ‘There was a fire alarm recently at City Hall, and afterwards, I watched all these public servants file back in afterwards and thought, there were thousands of people in the private sector leaving their jobs forever.' He added: ‘The public sector is comparatively privileged, and we have a huge obligation to get it right. We have to continue investing in infrastructure and stick up for the bankers who provide 9% of GDP.'