In an extraordinary case of journalistic deception, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has denounced a fabricated interview published by The Times of London that falsely quoted him criticising Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani — a candidate he has consistently and publicly endorsed.

What did The Times of London publish — and how did it go wrong?

On Tuesday, The Times of London published an article quoting de Blasio as expressing “concerns” about Mamdani’s policy proposals. The quotes — later proven to be entirely fictitious — included remarks suggesting that Mamdani’s plans lacked fiscal credibility.

The publication swiftly removed the story after discovering that its reporter had been duped by an impersonator posing as the former mayor.

“The Times has apologised to

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