LONDON MAYOR: Under fire deputy steps down

8:46am Saturday 5th July 2008

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Boris Johnson's deputy has resigned over allegations of inapropriate behaviour and financial misconduct.

Ray Lewis, who founded of the Eastside Young Leaders' Academy in 2002, stepped down last night (Friday) as the mayor's youth advisor with immediate effect.

The allegations relate to the time Mr Lewis served as a priest at St Matthew church, in Dyson Road, Stratford, 12 years ago.

The diocese Bishop said Mr Lewis, who grew up in Walthamstow, was disciplined and his ministry restricted between 1999 an 2005 following concerns about his financial dealings.

During a dramtaic City Hall press conference, Mr Lewis described the media is "a modern impatient schoolchild (that) does not seem to recognise the principle of delayed gratification."

Mr Lewis also expressed his "deep friendship" and "love" for Boris Johnson who, he claimed, was reluctant to accept his resignation.

He said: "(Boris Johnson) is someone I have come to know, love and admire. London is fortunate, even blessed, to have him."

On Thursday, the day Boris Johnson launched an investigation into the allegations, it was claimed Mr Lewis is a Justice of the Peace, which has since proven to be untrue.

Boris Johnson said: "I cannot deny that my confidence in Ray was shaken by the discovery today that he is not a fully fledged Justice of the Peace and I cannot deny that to be misled on this issue has made it harder for me to give Ray the backing necessary to continue in his role as deputy mayor."

Senior Labour MPs immediately seized the opportunity to attack the mayor's administration and Conservative leader David Cameron.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, said: ""People across the country will note that after just two months, the new Tory administration in London is in complete disarray.

"David Cameron has known Ray Lewis since his first day as Tory leader and Boris Johnson appointed him as deputy mayor days into the job.

"People will ask themselves, how have they allowed themselves to be embroiled in a mess like this?"