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 is 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 along with London Conservatives led by Boris Johnson prosecuted the case. All salivated in 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 within the Livingstone administration. In doing so they simply considered the black community as 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.