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Scotland Yard today opened a fraud inquiry into allegations that one of Boris Johnson's key deputies misused his corporate credit card.
Detectives will question Ian Clement over claims revealed by the Standard that he used his City Hall expenses to entertain his 23-year-old lover — but said he was buying meals for Tory councillors. He could face jail if convicted of an offence of fraud or of misconduct in public office.
Mr Clement, 44, dramatically quit on Monday after City Hall admitted there were serious “discrepancies” in his expense claims. Then the Standard revealed how Mr Clement falsely claimed for three restaurant meals he said were with Tory council leaders — all of whom denied being present.
At least twice the deputy allegedly entertained his lover, 23-year-old Claire Dowson, a Tory party agent.
Mr Clement claimed for two lunches, totalling £105, with two Tory council leaders in his official capacity. He said one, at Pizza Express in Barnet on 31 October, was with Enfield council leader Michael Rye. Mr Rye said the lunch did not take place. The deputy also claimed a £73.50 lunch for two, which he said was with Mike Freer, leader of Barnet council on 5 November. That day Mr Freer was at a funeral in Inverness.
Both lunches are understood to have been with Ms Dowson.
Mr Clement also claimed £51.70 for a “dinner with Merrick Cockell”, the Kensington and Chelsea council leader, at the New Mayflower Chinese restaurant on 6 November last year. City Hall sources told the Standard Mr Cockell said he had never been to the West End restaurant.
The scandal engulfed Boris Johnson when it emerged that the Mayor had warned Mr Clement about his credit card use in August, when he discovered Mr Clement had used the card to upgrade his flight to the Beijing Olympics. Mr Johnson travelled economy.
Mr Johnson is facing questions over why he did not intervene sooner, when it emerged Mr Clement used the card to buy a car stereo for his Jaguar and to pay a £200 grocery bill at Tesco.
Then the Mayor said Mr Clement's actions were “inappropriate and crass”, but there had been no dishonesty. Four days later his deputy was summoned to City Hall and, in effect, sacked by Mr Johnson.
Reader views (4)
Just goes to show what happens if you dont fully investigate Mayoral candidates BEFORE they get elected. Now Londoners are stuck with the Tory party cast off who can only run when someone wants an answer.
Anyway Boris said "I dont do detail" so how can he be expected to check claims when last February he could not check whether it was going to snow!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 28/06/2009 16:07
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And where's the police inquiry for the numerous Labour MP's(too many to list) that abused their positions in the expenses scandal? Do we have selective prosecutions now authorized by the government, how convenient?
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 28/06/2009 14:31
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Only a matter of time before Johnson suffers the same fate.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 27/06/2009 07:06
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If Boris found nothing wrong with this and also spent Taxpayers money entertaining fellow Tory Cronies then surely he muust also be investigated. Apart from anything else Boris promised to avoid wasting tax payers money.
- Billy Walker, Barnes England, 26/06/2009 21:51
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