Deputy mayor Lewis quits

London Mayor Boris Johnson's deputy Ray Lewis has quit over reports of misconduct.Mr Lewis faced a string of allegations over inappropriate behaviour and financial irregularities at a press conference on Thursday.Mr Lewis has denied the claims against him, describing them as "complete rubbish".They relate to alleged inappropriate behaviour with a parishioner in the late 1990s and while at the Eastside Young Leaders Academy - a youth scheme founded by Mr Lewis in 2003, the Mayor's office confirmed.Separate claims of financial irregularity centre on money entrusted to the deputy mayor while he was an Anglican vicar.It has been reported that Mr Lewis was barred from working with the Church of England in 1999, something he has said he was not aware of.Mr Lewis, who was put in charge of leading the capital's policy of youth crime, said he had stepped down in the face of an "avalanche" of allegations.His resignation comes a day after Mr Johnson announced he was backing Mr Lewis to stay on in the job and believed him to be innocent.An independent inquiry has been launched by City Hall into the allegations.In a statement, Mr Lewis said the "drip, drip" of allegations was "getting in the way of the very important work of this Mayor and his vision for London".He thanked Mr Johnson for giving the opportunity to serve London and added: "I cannot allow the things that I have been into, up to and around me to obscure the important business of this mayoral team."For this reason I must step down as Deputy Mayor for young people with immediate effect."He said Mr Johnson had "reluctantly accepted" the resignation.

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ITN | July 4, 2008