Lee Jasper Suspension Casts Serious Doubt Over Mayor's Judgement - Paddick

10.59.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 15th Feb 2008

Commenting on the suspension of the Mayor's Police and Equalities adviser, Lee Jasper, following a police investigation, Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick, said: "This goes far beyond the allegations made by the Evening Standard, which from my understanding simply suggested that Lee Jasper had broke the rules, not broken the law.

"If it is true that the Mayor has suspended Lee Jasper because of the criminal investigation, then this is a serious escalation of the situation regarding what is one of the Mayor's personal appointments. It casts serious doubt on the Mayor's judgement in terms of his selection of advisors.

"You can tell from Ken Livingstone's demeanour that he is seriously worried by the bad smell that is emanating from his own administration and his own advisors.

"Because of the complexity of the allegations that have been made, it's unlikely that any of these investigations will be concluded by 1 May. What the voters of London have got to realise is that if they re-elect Ken Livingstone, the chances are they're in for a nasty shock in the months following the election."