Press Release
False accusations of an 'investigation' of Mayoral adviser Lee Jasper
5-12-2007 766
A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority said:
“It has been falsely reported in the Evening Standard today that a Mayoral Adviser, Lee Jasper, is under a ‘second investigation’ by the Greater London Authority regarding his involvement in a project Brixton base, after a first one exonerated him. This is entirely untrue.
“The same is the case with regard to a further series of accusations that appeared in the Evening Standard today.
“Accusations by Andrew Gilligan that the London Development Agency was intimidated into make grants by threats of 'gang violence' are completely false. If true, Andrew Gilligan’s responsibility would be to present such evidence to the police. He has not done so because the allegation is without any substance.
“The allegation that Brixton Base is 'a vibrant hub for criminals' is totally false. In order to get people out of criminal life styles, it is obviously necessary to come into contact not only with the victims of crime but also ex-offenders and disaffected young people. Lee Jasper’s work in anti-crime campaigns like Operation Trident has won widespread respect and support among both the police and the public. He was the founding member of Operation Trident and chairs the Trident Independent Advisory Group. His work with young black people has been showcased in nearly all metropolitan cities in the UK and indeed has been taken up as a blueprint in other cities. Attempts to smear such work are against the interests of Londoners.
“The suggestion that Lee Jasper can direct the London Development Agency to hand out money is false and Andrew Gilligan produces no evidence for it. All funds spent by the London Development Agency are decided by London Development Agency staff, via formal processes, and Lee Jasper has no right to take such decisions even as a Mayoral adviser.
“This unfounded targeting of black organisations will not undermine all the important work that Lee Jasper and the London Development Agency have done to aid the black communities in London as part of their work to ensure London makes use of all the talents of every community within it. “
Mayor's response to the Evening Standard on 30th November 2007,
Annex to news release 766, 5 December 2007
ends
Notes to Editors
Among the organisations of which Lee Jasper is a member are:
· Trident Independent Advisory Group (Founder & Chair)
· Lambeth Police Consultative Group (Chair)
· Guns, Gangs & Weapons Board (Founder & Chair)
· Royal Commonwealth Society (ex-board member)
· Lambeth Independent Advisory Group (Chair)
· African Caribbean Mental Health Commission (Founder & Chair)
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