Cantelowes Lib Dems

The Deputy Mayor challenged by the Lib Dems over expenses claims has resigned - the 5th high-profile resignation of a senior advisor hand-picked by Boris Johnson since he took office last May.

Despite pledging to restore trust in City Hall finances, Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s administration has been plagued by scandal and improper use of taxpayers’ money. The latest high-profile casualty is Deputy Mayor Ian Clement - hand picked by Boris Johnson to advise the Mayor on Government relations, with a salary of over £127, 000.

Despite using a taxpayer-funded credit card to buy a series of personal items, racking up a £1, 500 bill, Boris Johnson and the Conservative administration backed him, claiming he’d done nothing wrong. Following pressure from a range of groups, including London Lib Dem leader Mike Tuffrey AM, Ian Clement resigned today.

Commenting on the resignation, Mike said; “Ian Clement’s resignation was inevitable but three fundamental questions still need to be answered by the Mayor.

“Firstly, over a period of nine months Ian Clement repeatedly broke City Hall rules about personal spending. Why did Boris Johnson allow this to take place?

“Secondly, is Boris Johnson still allowing his senior staff to bill taxpayers for taking each other out to lunch and dinner?

“Third, will Boris Johnson now agree to publish the full expense details of all of his senior staff? Only this step will allow the public to judge what type of regime the Mayor is really running at City Hall.”