Sadiq Khan made the decision to ban junk food adverts on Transport for London buses and trains with his “eyes open”, his top staff insist.

The London Assembly’s Greater London Authority (GLA) oversight committee, met this morning to scrutinise the work of the Mayor’s senior officers.

Conservative Assembly Member Susan Hall wanted to know how much Mr Khan had consulted with them on his proposed junk food ban on TfL networks.

Speaking to Mr Khan’s policy director Nick Bowes, Ms Hall asked if the proposals and the “consequences of the ban” had been discussed in the wider GLA and if Mr Khan had consulted on them?

Ms Hall said: “Were the consequences of this ban discussed before – especially in terms of charities not being able to put some of their adverts on because they have cake on them?

“The money from these adverts will be spent elsewhere and TfL finances are in dire straits, was this ever discussed?”

Mr Bowes said: “This was more done with my marketing colleagues rather than me but I think they went into it with their eyes open.”

Mr Khan announced he would be banning all adverts with food high in salt, sugar and fat from the London Underground, Overground, buses, TfL Rail, trams and river services, last year.

But the plans, which aim to tackle childhood obesity, came under fire because the ban would mean food such as olive oil, butter and pesto could not be advertised.

Critics of the proposals also said it would dent TfL’s advertising revenue, of which junk food adverts contribute £13 million.

They said this would further harm TfL’s finances as it is currently operating on a £1 billion deficit – although Mr Khan insisted last year this was not the case.

But Ms Hall pushed for an answer about whether this policy had been properly discussed.

She said: “So they are fully aware of the consequences of this fast-food adverts ban? Since you are in charge do you think this is one of your better decisions?”

Mr Bowes said: “The mayor has the final decisions on policies ultimately, so it was really with him.

“He went into the decision with his eyes open and fully aware of all the facts.”

The ban will come into force from February 25 this year.