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Ken Livingstone adviser quits over 'intimate emails' - Telegraph

Ken Livingstone adviser quits over 'intimate emails'
By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:40am GMT 05/03/2008


Ken Livingstone, the Labour mayor of London, suffered a serious blow as one of his closest aides quit over intimate emails he sent to a women who runs projects that received thousands of pounds in public money.

Mayor of London elections 2008
The development heightened concerns in Labour circles Mr Livingstone could be defeated at an election in May by Boris Johnson, the Conservative candidate.


Lee Jasper was suspended last month


Lee Jasper, Mr Livingstone's adviser on race relations, resigned claiming he had been subjected to a "racist media campaign" that had put "intolerable strain" on him and his family.

Mr Livingstone's office confirmed the mayor had accepted the resignation of Mr Jasper, who had already been suspended amid allegations he misused City Hall funds.

The resignation came after emails surfaced suggesting a close relationship between Mr Jasper and Karen Chouhan, who helps run two community projects given grants from Mr Livingstone's budget.

In the emails, sent in June 2006, Mr Jasper calls Ms Chouhan "sexy" and professes love for her.

In one email, he wrote: "How many ways do I love thee? As the air I breathe and first gentle dew on a golden summer morn.

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"As much as the Brazil national football team or aki and saltfish. I love thee feet, ankles, legs, thighs, bum and belly, arms, head and brain."

The disclosures have fuelled concerns in Labour circles Mr Livingstone could be defeated at an election in May by Boris Johnson, the Conservative candidate.

In 2005, Mr Jasper was involved in the decision to approve a £100,000 grant to the 1990 Trust, of which Mrs Chouhan is secretary, which describes itself as "the first national Black organisation set up to protect and pioneer the interest of Britain's Black Communities".

She is also a director of the Black Londoners Forum, which has received money from Mr Livingstone's budget. Both the 1990 Trust and the Black Londoners Forum are being investigated after a London newspaper alleged they had done little or nothing to justify the public money given to them.

Mr Jasper, 49, is married and the father of nine children. Mrs Chouhan, 50, is also married.

Both are understood to maintain there was nothing improper or sexual about their relationship. Mrs Chouhan was quoted as saying Mr Jasper's comments were "banter".

The "code of ethics" set down for Mr Livingstone's staff requires them to disclose if anyone with whom they have a "close personal relationship" is involved with groups that have financial links to City Hall.

Mr Livingstone last month suspended his Mr Jasper from his £120,000 a year post, and asked the police to investigate what has happened to thousands of pounds of public money given in grants to community groups.

Mr Jasper is due to appear before the Greater London Assembly this morning to answer questions about his actions. The allegations against him could not come at a worse time for Mr Livingstone.

Senior Labour figures are increasingly concerned Mr Johnson has a real chance of victory. Last weekend's Labour conference in Birmingham saw a string of Government ministers line up to launch bitter public attacks on the Tory candidate. Privately, some ministers believe suggestions of sleaze around Mr Livingstone's circle are starting to hurt his support.

Mr Johnson said the latest developments involving Mr Jasper reflect badly on Mr Livingstone.

He said: "Ken Livingstone and his team are mired in maladministration.

"We need answers from Lee Jasper on how he can justify the influence he has used over public money, and Ken Livingstone must ensure he provides them."

A spokesman for the Mayor said any allegation that London assembly rules had been breached "will be addressed through the proper GLA procedures".