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Deputy mayor resigns from office | Deputy mayor resigns from office |
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London's deputy mayor has resigned two months into his post amid claims of financial irregularities. | London's deputy mayor has resigned two months into his post amid claims of financial irregularities. |
Ray Lewis faced allegations regarding his time as a vicar in east London in the late 1990s and head of a youth academy scheme in 2003. | |
It emerged he was placed under formal Church of England disciplinary measures between 1999 and 2005. | It emerged he was placed under formal Church of England disciplinary measures between 1999 and 2005. |
Mr Lewis, who had special responsibility for youth, described the claims as groundless and rubbish. | Mr Lewis, who had special responsibility for youth, described the claims as groundless and rubbish. |
London Mayor Boris Johnson appointed Mr Lewis as one of several deputy mayors with special portfolios, such as business and policing. | |
Mr Lewis said: "I cannot allow the things going on around me to obscure the important business of this very important mayor and for that reason I must step down with immediate affect. | |
"London faces enormous challenges and I believed in all my heart that I was best placed to do that but it's important to get on with the business of this mayoralty without this business hanging over Boris' head." |