Johnson's deputy mayor resigns post

10:03pm Friday 4th July 2008

Deputy London Mayor Ray Lewis has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour and financial irregularities, he announced.

Mr Lewis, who was put in charge of leading the capital's policy of youth crime, said he had stepped down in the face of an "avalanche" of allegations against him.

The Deputy Mayor faced multiple claims relating to his time as a priest and as founder of an academy for young people. An independent inquiry was launched in City Hall into the allegations.

In a statement, Mr Lewis said the "drip, drip" of allegations was "getting in the way of the very important work of this Mayor and his vision for London".

He added that the inquiry announced by Boris Johnson had done "little to calm the avalanche of allegations".

He thanked Mr Johnson for giving the opportunity to serve London.

But he added: "I cannot allow the things that I have been into, up to and around me to obscure the important business of this mayoral team. For this reason I must step down as Deputy Mayor for young people with immediate effect."

In a statement, Mr Johnson said: "It is with extreme reluctance and sadness that I have accepted the resignation of Ray Lewis.

"He has always been, and remains, an inspiring figure to me. Ray is not a conventional politician but that is a strength as well as a weakness. Ray can communicate and connect with communities and individuals that are beyond the reach of most mainstream politicians.

"Therefore, when presented with a string of unsubstantiated allegations, my instinct was to fight and fight hard for Ray. I still hope that he can clear his name."

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