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LONDON MAYOR: Johnson's deputy dismisses sex claims
5:18pm Thursday 3rd July 2008
Comments (1)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.
Copyright Press Association Ltd 2008, All Rights Reserved.
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Technomist, walthamstow says...
11:16am Fri 4 Jul 08
As Christine Keeler once said, he would say that, wouldn't he?
Whoever has made these sex allegations should put up or shut up. Its not the sex claims that bother me at this stage- I tend to think of politicians that what they do in bed are their business as long as it is legal.
There seems to be a number of disturbing angles to the financial complaint, and he can't say these are unfounded or an attempt to smear him. He apparently got up to something very odd with 25 grand he 'borrowed' from one of his parishioners in order to 'lend' it to others a few years back. It seems to have been a semi-commercial transaction as interest was being charged. A vicar playing unlicensed money-lender and disappearing to the Windward Islands in the middle of the activity with the money not paid back does not inspire confidence in a deputy mayor. The police were involved.
It may be some time ago, but having hidden in the West Indies -thus preventing people from addressing the issues, he can't complain that this is old news or he is ignorant. He pretends he did nothing wrong, but it looks to me that after Lewis had skulked for a bit like Father Ted at Craggy Island, the money was eventually paid back with the help of someone else who bailed him out. Why was that necessary if he'd not done anything wrong? The fact it did not end up in his being put before a criminal court, and 'merely' being banned from ministering in the Church of England because of his questionable trustworthiness, does not make Lewis the best man in London for his current job. The clear concerns that senior churchmen have about Lewis should be something Boris should take serious note of.
I like Boris and want him to do well for London, but why can't he find better people to work with him?