Boris to kick off MPs' riots probe

A powerful group of backbench MPs will begin an inquiry into the riots in England next month, it was confirmed here Friday. The Home Affairs parliamentary Committee chairman Keith Vaz told the House Commons that London Mayor Boris Johnson would be the first witness to give evidence. Vaz said: "We will be looking at police tactics, we will be looking at the operation of gangs, we will be looking at mobile communications, and we will be revisiting some of the issues we have looked at in the past, such as the inquiry into the G20 protests. "This will be a thoughtful and measured inquiry which will begin on September 6. "I am glad the Mayor for London has agreed to be a witness. It was a pre-arranged evidence session for him but he will start off the inquiry for us. " The opposition Labour MP Vaz, whose Leicester East constituency was affected by rioting, added: "We have just published our terms of reference. I have sent copies to every Member of this House." He was speaking after Home Secretary Theresa May's statement to the House on the widespread public disorder, which came to an end last Wednesday.