LONDON MAYOR: Johnson's deputy dismisses sex claims

5:18pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Boris Johnson's deputy has dismissed allegations of sexual misconduct as "complete rubbish" and "an attempt to smear me".

Ray Lewis now faces an investigation into the claims, which he said are "totally unfounded".

London mayor Mr Johnson announced the independent inquiry into the allegations at City Hall.

The allegations relate to when Mr Lewis worked as a vicar in east London a decade ago.

He has also been barred from working for the Church of England after claims of financial misconduct, according to the BBC.

Mr Lewis founded the Eastside Young Leaders Academy in 2003 - a youth scheme known for its tough approach with drills, uniforms and strict discipline.

This is the second major blow to Mr Johnson's administration since he was elected London Mayor on May 1.

Last month one of his senior advisers quit after apparently remarking that Caribbean immigrants should go home if they did not like London.

Mr Johnson insisted that James McGrath, his political adviser, was not a racist. But the Mayor said it would only provide "ammunition" to his critics if Mr McGrath was to remain in post.

Mr Johnson accepted the resignation of Mr McGrath, a 34-year-old Australian, after an interview with the adviser appeared on the internet on June 22.

In it he was challenged with the suggestion by prominent black commentator Darcus Howe that Mr Johnson's election could cause an exodus of Caribbean immigrants to their homelands. In response, Mr McGrath was quoted as saying: "Well, let them go if they don't like it here."

The Mayor said Mr McGrath had been quoted "out of context" by Marc Wadsworth, a so-called citizen journalist, but the remarks made it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.

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