Brian Paddick

Responding to tonight’s resignation of Lee Jasper as the Mayor’s Equalities and Policing adviser, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Brian Paddick, said:

“The fact that Lee Jasper has resigned the day before he was due to give an account of himself to the London Assembly is no coincidence.

“Lee Jasper was personally appointed by Ken Livingstone and has enjoyed his unconditional support up until today. His resignation raises serious questions about the Mayor’s judgement and his improbable claims that there is nothing wrong with his administration.

“Increasingly, black Londoners are asking me to get in and clean up City Hall, saying I am the only candidate they trust. This proves that the controversy surrounding Lee Jasper is about incompetence and the improper use of taxpayers’ money. It is not about race.”

Brian’s comments were echoed by the leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the Greater London Assembly, Mike Tuffrey:

“Lee Jasper is part of a wider problem within the Mayor’s office. Yet again, the Mayor has proven unable to control the actions of a member of his staff. Indeed, issues surrounding LDA grants should have been referred to an independent inquiry back in December, as we suggested.

“The Mayor’s office has been put under the public spotlight, and found to be flawed. It is time that we had a new Mayor who can work to improve London instead of wasting time shielding his friends.”