The news of Ian Clement’s departure and the fraud he perpetrated under the nose of Mayor Boris Johnson has finally reached the national press. Clement was actually ousted two days ago. Keep in mind this is the third deputy and fourth senior aide the London Mayor has lost in a year.

Concerns about Celement were raised as far back as last year and yet the Mayor did nothing until persistent digging by Dave Hill and further echoes by Adam Bienkov and BorisWatch became too great.

Update: Turns out Boris personally approved Clement’s expenses.
(news coverage now below the fold)

Guardian: Boris Johnson’s chief of staff faces questions
Boris Johnson’s chief of staff faces tough questions today after the resignation of his deputy mayor revealed evidence of a lax expenses regime within his administration. … Clement was forced to quit his £127,000 role as deputy mayor for government and external relations on Monday over the charging of restaurant meals to the public purse.
…
Johnson publicly criticised Clement, formerly the Tory leader of Bexley borough council, after he breached guidelines by using his corporate credit card for personal expenses, later repaid, but initially refused to fire him.

The Times: Ian Clement dined out at public’s expense
Ian Clement, the Deputy Mayor for Government and External Relations, claimed for business meals even though at one, his supposed companion was at a funeral. At another, his supposed companion was hosting an awards ceremony. … Mr Clement had already admitted to a “crass mistake” and had been reprimanded by the Mayor after he used his card to buy more than £2,000 in personal items, directly violating Greater London Authority rules.

BBC News: Assembly reports card misuse aide
Claims that a former deputy to Mayor Boris Johnson misused a credit card are being formally reported to police, the London Assembly said.
…
The GLA had raised concerns about Mr Clement’s use of the card in August 2008. The mayor had asked him to give up the card after he learned that his deputy used it upgrade himself to business class on a flight to the Beijing Olympics.

Well done to Dave Hill for the scalp.

1. Liberal Conspiracy
   

   New blog post: London deputy Mayor reported to the police http://bit.ly/tEwZn

2. sunny hundal
   

   London deputy Mayor reported to police http://tr.im/pAuz – that’s the third up in a puff of smoke. Great job Boris!

3. Tim Phillips-White
   

   RT @pickledpolitics: London deputy Mayor reported to police http://tr.im/pAuz – that’s the third up in a puff of smoke. Great job Boris!

   [Original tweet]

4. Liberal Conspiracy
   

   New blog post: London deputy Mayor reported to the police http://bit.ly/tEwZn

   [Original tweet]

5. sunny hundal
   

   London deputy Mayor reported to police http://tr.im/pAuz – that’s the third up in a puff of smoke. Great job Boris!

   [Original tweet]