London's deputy mayor quits as investigation launched

LONDON (AFP) - London's new mayor Boris Johnson suffered his second setback in the job Friday when his deputy announced his resignation over allegations of financial irregularities and inappropriate behaviour.

Ray Lewis, who was in charge of youth affairs, said he was quitting because the "drip-drip" of "untrue" claims against him was getting in the way of Johnson's work as mayor of the British capital.

Lewis was facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a parishoner while he was a Church of England priest in the late 1990s and at a youth scheme which he set up to help young Afro-Caribbean men in London.

There were also allegations of financial irregularities over cash entrusted to Lewis by parishoners while he was a priest.

An inquiry into the claims has been launched at City Hall.

Johnson, of Britain's main opposition Conservative Party, became London mayor after beating Ken Livingstone of the ruling Labour Party in May.

One of Johnson's political advisors, James McGrath, quit last month after apparently saying that immigrants from the Caribbean living in London should return there if they did not like the city.

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