London deputy mayor resigns

News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

More than half of Afghanistan’s families live in extreme poverty

Leila is watching her baby intently, as his mouth moves trying to swallow the small blob of yellow p...

Time for a new approach to alcohol

Ambulances were called and three drunk teenagers were brought to my care. One was so drunk we had to...

Bahrain: One year on

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the BNP and its favourite blogster, as well as Islamist...

Paul Volcker stands tall against the banking lobby

Why is Europe, which likes to present itself as an opponent of speculative "Anglo-Saxon" finance, li...

Ray Lewis resigned tonight as deputy mayor of London amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour and financial irregularities.

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 today 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 yesterday 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."

He said Mr Johnson had "reluctantly accepted" the resignation.

Mr Lewis has denied the claims against him, describing them as "complete rubbish".

They relate to alleged inappropriate behaviour with a parishioner in the late 1990s and while at the Eastside Young Leaders Academy - a youth scheme founded by Mr Lewis in 2003, the Mayor's office confirmed.

Separate claims of financial irregularity centre on money entrusted to the deputy mayor while he was a priest.

It has been reported that in 1999, Mr Lewis was barred from working with the Church of England. Something the now former deputy mayor has said he was not aware of.

Mr Johnson entrusted Mr Lewis, a former priest and prison governor, with the brief of young people shortly after being elected.

Today's resignation is the second to damage Mr Johnson's team since he became mayor on 1 May.

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" for his critics if Mr McGrath was to remain in his post.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'