Boris Johnson has said he has "wiped from history" a 'back Boris on the EU or keep your views to yourself' edict on City Hall staff.
The gagging order sent by Mr Johnson's chief of staff Sir Edward Lister said workers should either "advocate the Mayor's position or otherwise not openly to contradict it".
The London Mayor said he had only seen the order on Monday night and that it had been "countermanded, rescinded, was kaduuk" and an "ex-edict" that had been "wiped from history".
Mr Johnson, a key figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the EU, has spoken out loudly about "scaremongering" and the use of "Project Fear" in the run-up to the referendum.
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Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Johnson said: "Nobody has been gagged. I was only made aware of this edict very late last night and it ceased to be operative as soon as I was made aware of it.
"All I can say is it obviously hasn't been operative because you've got members of my advisory team taking a very different view from me. So they can, so they shall, and with complete impunity too."
He denied he had seen the message before it was sent and said: "I had no knowledge about it. It's a cock-up, I perfectly accept that. It's not something I agree with. My staff and my team have complete freedom to say what they want. They already are and have been for several days."
Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley, who is backing the campaign for the UK to remain in the EU, said: "Cabinet dissenters have their freedom on the EU. What is the weakness of the Out side that caused them to issue the City Hall ban on equivalent freedom?
"Whether a deliberate error or just a curious mistake, it makes the Outers look like inconsistent opportunists."
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