District Auditor asked to look into LDA Allegations

3.25.00pm GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Mayor Ken Livingstone has been asked to summon the District Auditor to look into Evening Standard allegations on London Development Agency grants and about one of the Mayor's advisors. This is following the motion passed by Assembly Members today that called for an independent investigation rather than an internal audit by the LDA themselves.

The motion was proposed by Leader of the London Assembly Liberal Democrats, Mike Tuffrey, who told the Assembly:

"The nub of the Evening Standard's case is that grants have been paid with very little to show for them and that a mayoral aide has been improperly involved.

"Rather than rebutting the charge the Mayor's response has been to engage in smear politics against his critics. Given the serious nature of the allegations it is essential for the reputation of good governance at City Hall that an investigation that is independent of any Mayoral influence, and is seen to be so, is carried out.

"Such a course of action would reassure London council tax payers that their money is being carefully stewarded and exonerate any individuals who have had their integrity falsely called into question."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The motion in full was as follows:

"In light of the articles in last week's Standard, and the allegations levelled in those articles about some of the London Development Agency's processes and the role played by one of the Mayor's advisers, this Assembly calls on the Mayor to refer those allegations to the District Auditors of the GLA and the LDA and ask that the District Auditors investigate and report back their findings in as short a time frame as is possible."

Proposed by Mike Tuffrey AM

Seconded by Graham Tope AM

2. The motion passed by 14 votes for and none against