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Boris Johnson brings back disgraced deputy Ray Lewis
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor14 Jun 2010
A former deputy mayor of Boris Johnson's was brought back into the fold at City Hall today two years after he quit in disgrace.
Ray Lewis, who resigned after the Standard revealed he had lied about being a magistrate, was welcomed back by the Mayor to help spearhead a new drive against youth crime.
Mr Lewis will be part of a team aiming to recruit 1,000 men as "mentors" to help prevent boys from troubled backgrounds being drawn into gang violence.
Richard Taylor, the father of knife-victim Damilola, and the Metropolitan Black Police Association will also have key roles in the Time for Action campaign. Mr Lewis and Mr Taylor will not be paid in their volunteer roles.
Mr Lewis's return as an adviser appeared to be a deliberate attempt by Mr Johnson to rehabilitate his friend.
The founder of the Eastside Young Leaders Academy was hired as a deputy mayor with responsibility for young people in a blaze of publicity soon after the 2008 mayoral election.
But he was forced to quit his post after the Ministry of Justice confirmed he had falsely claimed on his CV that he had been a magistrate. Mr Lewis had also faced allegations of sexual and financial misconduct which he denied and no police action was taken.
The political fallout threatened Lewis's pioneering Eastside Young Leaders Academy which uses military style discipline to help black boys in east London "perform a handbrake turn in their lives".
But in an interview with the Standard, Mr Lewis said the academy was now going from strength to strength. "Very often they don't get those role models at home or at school, so they grow up without the support and guidance they need. As a consequence they're finding it from the streets - they look up to older boys in gangs and get dragged into criminal activity.
"We want to get them early - it's work that's essentially preventive. We're going to start an aggressive recruitment campaign to find black males who can provide the culturally appropriate intervention that we deem necessary for these young people. Mentors can teach boys about what being a man is all about.
"Can you imagine 1,000 mentors across London? As Boris's army marches forward we will make a huge difference." He was keen to stress he will not be on the City Hall payroll, adding: "I'm not going to have an office or a budget."
Mr Lewis insisted he has no ambitions to return to politics. Asked if he regretted embarrassing his former boss, he said: "I'm focused only on going forward and saving these boys' lives. I regard Boris as a personal friend and I admire what he is doing for London.
"He has already made significant inroads (to reducing knife crime) but now Time for Action is really heating up. To be part of that is wonderful. This is my forte, it's what I do. I'm just happy to have the opportunity to lend my experience and expertise to the mayoral team."
Mr Johnson said: "There are a minority of youths who are wasting their lives through crime, gangs and violence. There is no magic solution to ending youth crime, but I am more determined than ever to use this new partnership to turn around the lives of as many troubled young people as possible."
Reader views (27)
The professionals with their expertise in areas such as probation, psychology and so on are unable to reach these youths effectively, from the few that I know, say it is not in their ability to help most of these youths, given the background of life that is the norm for them, so am sure whilst Ray Lewis is a compromise for me personally, like Boris and the black people that I know, him being able to help these youths is not such a compromise if it works. Poor Boris is damned if he does and damned if he does not do something! At least he is trying!
Loved your rehabilitation headline, yesterday.
- M, London, 15/06/2010 13:45
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So how is a liar meant to be a good role model unless of course you are looking at a career in politics,where you say something before an election then bring out your secret agenda after!!!
As for comments on Lee Jasper nothing has been proveto date but we know all what was said about Ray was proven.
Just goes to show how Boris cant see the wider pictire and how long before he has to resign again?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 15/06/2010 11:55
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Can you start on the right foot by telling us how much he is getting,the whole thing sounds like the setting up of another Quango,are you sure Cameron knows about this one?.
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 15/06/2010 10:02
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I think you have reduced the odds on you winning the next election by two thirds. You will let that Ken in again and then Heaven help us all.
This man was a liar, and several times over, not just a white lie either.
- Amber in Mitcham, mitcham, 15/06/2010 07:57
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Why are people so eager to believe all they read? Bad news sells. The lies of two years ago were unfounded allegations. He had completed the last stage of becoming a JP anyway so harping on about his CV is pointless. Fortunately the man has more supporters than enemies and his enemies didn't manage to keep him down. He will no doubt be expecting a barrage of criticism but that will be irrelevant in the face of the situation he is trying to address. We should support someone who gives up their time (without pay) to make a difference instead of wasting energy on negativity - whatever our politics. Let him get on with the work at hand - saving our young people. We've already wasted two years by that ridiculous smear campaign designed to bring a good man down.
- Margaret, London, 14/06/2010 22:42
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He'd better be good at his job, Boris, otherwise he'll come back to haunt you just like Lee Jasper did for Ken Leninstone...............
- Stevie G, London SW11, 14/06/2010 18:36
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The lunatics have finally taken over the asylum !
- Nod, londinium, 14/06/2010 18:35
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Ray Lewis will be a lot cheaper than Lee Jasper.
Boris, you're the man.
We should bring back David Laws as well.
- Stephen C, London, 14/06/2010 17:58
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I understand people should have the opportunity to turn themselves around but Ray has not even admitted his wrong doings.
I think this is a bad choice at far too high a level.
It sends out the wrong message
- Patrick Mc Crossan, LONDON, 14/06/2010 16:50
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he took money from a parishioner then more money from a disabled person if he was not guilty why did he have to pay it back the clergy have files on him he should have been thoroughly investigated by the police he is no role model for young teenagers is he going to tell them how to show them how to fill in there CV or the best way to commit fraud it stinks i hope all newspaper reporters do a lot of digging in to his background
- betty murphy, forest gate uk, 14/06/2010 16:16
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What's Ray going to be a role model for? Lying on job applications. Or is Boris trying to ensure Ken gets back in? Very strange.
- Bern, Santa Monica USA, 14/06/2010 15:49
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Boris was sacked from The Times for making up quotes and then from the shadow cabinet for not coming clean about his affair, so perhaps he feels fellow feeling for this man who said he had been a magistrate despite the fact that he had not.
- sceptic, London, 14/06/2010 15:36
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Well done Boris. One lie should not condemn anyone for ever. Give Lewis a chance folks and try to avoid the left-wing "bash Boris" campaign.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK, 14/06/2010 14:56
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Boris was born in New York, USA; where he would have probably learnt all about the Mafia, and its business tactics etc.
By incorporating Ray Lewis into Boris’s control of London and its wealth creating rackets, he is ensuring that Ray’s boys will not knick all his bikes, as they are now all working for the same outfit etc.
Boris is shrewd.
- mickinlondon, london, 14/06/2010 14:29
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I would not let him polish my shoes, is this the best than can do
- Peter Woods, torre chianca, 14/06/2010 14:12
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Madness Boris,absolute madness. This man is in no way a positive role model in the fight against youth crime. There are far better people for this position.
- Barry, London, 14/06/2010 14:10
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What can one say? Sigh ...
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 14/06/2010 13:52
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Boris there are other people who can do the job given to Ray Lewis...
- adrian, london,
Ronnie Biggs has more experience than Ray Lewis.
- mickinlondon, london, 14/06/2010 13:47
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oh dear - bad move boris. Also a terrible reflection on your knowledge on who is out there and might be more appropriate.
- jc, se1, 14/06/2010 13:25
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It is important to have ethnic people in such positions but why out of the many talented minorities is rubbish chosen? Diane Abbot and Trevor Philips are a laughing stock and have no talent!
- James from Camden, London, 14/06/2010 13:22
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Boris there are other people who can do the job given to Ray Lewis...
- adrian, london, 14/06/2010 13:21
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I'm surprised anyone is surprised about Boris's actions here in recalling someone who is so clearly not suited to the position. Given this and all his other policy U-turns, please can the last few remaining supporters of Boris urgently meet up to discuss his future (you'll probably only need a telephone box to fit you all in). Cheerio Boris - you're clearly entertaining, but utterly incompetent
- Nick, Battersea, 14/06/2010 13:18
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There is an old saying that goes; set a thief to catch a thief?
- mickinlondon, london, 14/06/2010 13:16
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So there is no one else who can do the job ?
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 14/06/2010 13:12
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one tory vote lost here Boris.Just why do these politicans keep bring back those that have already been caught out is it a private club.
- David Smith, Croydon, 14/06/2010 13:10
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You cannot do this Boris, unless you really don't want to run again as Mayor. By bringing this charlatan back into the fold you will lose all credibility. Mind you, just considering it makes me wonder about your judgement.
Although the intentions of Lewis are to be truly commended, his proved to be fictional CV really doesn't reflect well on your "team". Couldn't he have performed the role independently without climbing into the City Hall bed?
I avidly supported you at the last election, but as I'm resident abroad now I cannot vote for you and, after this foolish decision, I wouldn't anyway.
Very, very foolish.
- Peter M, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 14/06/2010 12:56
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Never mind what he did, allegedly or actually. Let's see what he can do now - which will hopefully be to save lives and cut crime.
- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 14/06/2010 12:54
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