Bob, you say the panel was 'independent' and then in the same sentence say it was composed of 'anti-Boris bloggers'. How exactly is that 'independent'? Perhaps the headline ought to be 'Anti-Boris bloggers say he wasted taxpayers money' or alternatively 'Pope reveals he is a Catholic'!

Andrew... perhaps you didn't get the irony. Try reading... http://www.bobpiper.co.uk/2008/06/another_boris_johnson_joke.php

Mr. Lee Jaspe

Press Release 15 July 2008

Mayor's report finds no evidence of fraud, corruption or cronyism.
In relation to Boris Johnsons Forensic Audit Panel (FAP) report published today Lee Jasper issued the following statement.
" I have always maintained that I was innocent of the scandalous and malicious allegations made against me by the media and in particular the Evening Standard. My professional and political integrity and reputation have been badly damaged by these false allegations. My good name has been dragged through mud and both I am and my family have endured a high tech media lynching.

I contend that this panel finding on 'wasted millions' is nothing more than political posturing and constitutes another attack on the black community of London. Put simply this Tory dominated panel in talking about waste are referring to black organisations and no doubt we can look forward to more cuts in black voluntary funding by the London Development Agency,

The Evening Standard along with other media promoted this racist campaign and the London Conservatives prosecuted the case. ALL salivated at the racial dynamic and the short-term political capital that could be gained by seeking to demonise London�s Black community and a high profile black man witiihin the Livingstone administration. In doing so they simply considered the black community no more than collateral damage in conducting their dirty war to win the elections.

The damage done and the implications that flow from it will reverberate throughout this Mayoralty.
I would like to thank all those thousands of people who have offered and provided much needed support to my family and I throughout this difficult period.
This report constitutes the fifth in depth public scrutiny looking at the serious allegations and issues raised by the Evening Standard and their investigative reporter Andrew Gilligan.

These articles were largely based on a number of emails that were stolen from the Mayor's Office.
The essence and strong implication of these articles is best summed up by the Evening Standard's front-page headline of the 5th December 2007 ' Ken's Aide and the missing millions'. What followed was a deluge of front-page articles making over 17 individual allegations. In short The Evening Standard had alleged that the London Development Agency awarded contracts and funding to organisation's because of their personal friendships with me or because of inappropriate interference by myself. Further that these organizations having received public funds could not properly account for the monies they had received.
The FAP having conducted a forensic financial audit and has re examined all of the issues relating to the Standards false accusations of 'fraud and 'cronyism'.

On this substantive point the FAP report is absolutely clear in its findings. After conducting their forensic financial analysis they have failed to find any evidence whatsoever of fraudulent activity on my part nor have they found any evidence that I unduly influenced LDA decisions. I have always maintained my innocence of the false charges made by the Evening Standard and prosecuted by London Conservatives and Boris Johnson.
This 'independent' investigation has been far from independent. The Chair Patience Wheatcroft is a member of the Conservative Party. The other panel members, Stephen Greenhalgh, Edward Lister and Patrick Frederick are all members of the Conservative Party. He fifth member is an employee of PWC employed by Boris Johnson to work for the panel.
I contend that this panel finding on 'wasted millions' constitutes a party political witchunt. The Tories are talking about black groups and they should say so.

As well as the obvious lack of impartiality I find it deeply ironic that the son of the Chair of the FAP, A Mr. Kelham Salter, has been appointed to a post in the GLA and that a member of the Panel is an employee of a firm contracted by the panel to investigate these issues at a cost of over 50,000 pounds."

bob,

oops, mea culpa! Irony circuits on the blink!

Andrew

Talking of Patience Wheatcroft. Apart from wasting £50,000 of taxpayers money within a couple of months of taking office, did you read Ken's rightly contemptuous response to her invitation for him to be cross examined by her independent committee, consisting of 4 tories on a panel of 5?
In case you didn't you can find it here.
I found it on Tom Watson h/t charles.

http://www.charlesarthur.com/blog/?p=1050