Afternoon:
15°c
By bringing Ray Lewis back to City Hall, Boris Johnson is not just sticking by an old friend: he clearly aims to prove yet again that he can defy political convention.
Mr Lewis's resignation back in 2008 was a heavy blow to the Mayor's fledgling administration. It was the first of a series of damaging resignations by his deputies - first Tim Parker in a power struggle and later Ian Clement for expenses fraud - that raised all the old doubts about Boris's judgment and competence. The Mayor had originally wanted to keep Mr Lewis despite early allegations about his finances and conduct.
He stood by him, only to agree "reluctantly" to his resignation when it emerged his deputy had "misled" him over his CV.
Sources close to the Mayor revealed today that he was "completely gutted" to have lost his ally two years ago.
"Some people may not be suited to the straitjacket of modern political life but they can make a valuable contribution. A bland, beige, faultless politician would never attract the wrath of the press but neither would they get anywhere near the kind of kids Ray deals with," one said.
With his political honeymoon still intact, the Mayor obviously thinks he can turn City Hall into his very own rehabilitation centre.
Reader views (1)
"some people may not be suited to the straitjacket of modern life, you bet because theres no deep pockets and you cant move your hands.
- scony, middlesbrough, 14/06/2010 13:41
Report abuse
