Boris under fire as he cancels inquiry into deputy's past

Boris Johnson has been accused of presiding over a political cover-up, after dropping the inquiry into his former deputy mayor.

Ray Lewis was facing an investigation into a series of sexual and financial misconduct allegations, as well as claims he lied on his CV.

But yesterday evening the Mayor of London's office let it be known that, following Lewis's resignation on Friday afternoon, the inquiry will not go ahead.

A mayoral spokesman explained that the inquiry, which was to be headed by former chief prison inspector Martin Narey, would have been 'an inappropriate use of taxpayers' money'.

However, Greater London Authority Labour member John Biggs said: 'Very serious questions have been asked of Mr Lewis and it seems to me to be reasonable that they should be answered.

'This is very confusing because Boris said that if Mr Lewis was cleared then he would have him back again  -  but now he won't have a chance to be cleared.'

The inquiry was cancelled as it became clear that Mr Johnson was told about his deputy's chequered past eight weeks ago  -  but did nothing to investigate.

On May 11, days after Lewis was appointed, the Bishop of Barking the Right Reverend David Hawkins outlined his concerns to Mr Johnson in person. This was followed up with a letter.

The Reverend Chris Newlands, chaplain to the Bishop of Chelms-ford, said: 'The Bishop of Barking did speak face to face with the Mayor at an event at Millwall football stadium on Whit Sunday. They spoke about Lewis then.'

Lewis, 45, resigned on Friday evening after a string of allegations were made about his time working as a vicar in the East End of London and as director of the Eastside Young Leaders Academy for disadvantaged black boys.

In 1993, when he was vicar of St. Matthew's church in West Ham, he was accused of 'sexually inappropriate behaviour' with two parishioners.

In 1995 he was accused of failing to repay £41,000 that he borrowed-from three vulnerable parishioners.

And between 2003 and 2008 he was accused  -  but never arrested over  -  a total of six attacks on young boys attending the Eastside academy.

The father of three has also been arrested three times: once on suspicion of blackmail, once for two alleged thefts and once for alleged deception during the sale of a house. On each occasion, no further action was taken.

Lewis, who is a former vicar, junior prison governor and civil servant, has denied all the allegations against him.

He has also claimed that he was unaware that he was banned from preaching for six years from 1999 to 2005 after the Church was made aware of his past.

However, it has emerged that he must have known about the ban as in 2000 he made an official application for it to be revoked.

Lewis has also been accused of embellishing his CV by falsely claiming to be a magistrate.

Yesterday, in an attempt to deflect blame, the party accused the Church of negligence in their handling of the affair. David Cameron's close adviser Nick Boles said: 'The Church sat on it and suddenly decided to bring it to the public now. Why?'

Mr Newlands countered that it was the Tories who initially failed to make the necessary checks and then ignored their warnings.

A spokesman for the mayor insisted that the Bishop of Barking did not talk to Mr Johnson about Mr Lewis eight weeks ago.