Complaints about Clement's expenses referred to Police
Wednesday, 24 June 2009 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
Complaints about one of Boris Johnson's deputy mayors' business expenses are being formally reported to the police, the London Assembly has confirmed.
A first meeting between the Met and the Greater London Authority (GLA) was held yesterday, the Assembly was told.
The police are understood to be planning further meetings with the GLA in the coming days before they can confirm whether a formal investigation will take place.
Sir Simon Milton, one of the three deputy mayors still in office will be questioned over Mr Clement's use of a corporate credit card.
"Discrepancies" in his use of the card led to Mr Clement's resignation from his £127,000 role and questions were raised about his expenses being used to entertain guests.
Three Tory councillors have denied dining with the deputy mayor for government and external relations when Mr Clement said they did.
In one year, Mr Johnson has lost three deputy mayors, making it five staff members who have been sacked or quit since the mayor was elected 14 months ago.
A police investigation into Mr Clement's alleged misuse of the credit card is also possible following a formal complaint received by Scotland Yard.
Mr Clement's expenses claims published last week showed £2,400 spent upgrading to business class flights to the Beijing Olympics and several dinner receipts with Tory colleagues.
Several of the local councillors, City Hall and Westminster staff explained that they did not know the meals were paid for with tax payer's money.
Mike Freer, Tory leader of Barnet council issued a statement explaining he was at a funeral in Inverness the day Mr Clement claimed they had lunch for £73.50 together.
Boris Johnson had earlier criticised Mr Clement when he breached expenses rules by using his business credit card to pay for personal expenses which he later reimbursed.
Johnson had then issued a formal written warning but on Monday he accepted Clement's resignation, saying his role had become indefensible after more "discrepancies" in his business expenses were discovered.
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