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December 2, 2008 9:47:18 AM CST

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Corruption Claims Tarnish London Mayor

Posted Feb 8, 08 11:20 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – London's left-wing mayor Ken Livingstone faced a harsh 3-hour grilling last night over a deepening scandal that has seen the city's equality adviser accused of nepotism and corruption. Hundreds of e-mails and memos released yesterday cast new light on at least $6.6 million in contracts allegedly awarded to friends of Lee Jasper, writes the Financial Times.

"Red Ken" has called the claims "politically driven" and racist. The two opposition parties have called for Jasper to resign or be sacked, and Livingstone has admitted Jasper's emails were inappropriate. Despite his popularity in London, Livingstone is facing a difficult battle for reelection against Tory MP and ex-Spectator editor Boris Johnson. The corruption charges threaten to tarnish Livingstone's campaign.

Sources: Financial Times (UK), Guardian (UK), Evening Standard (UK)

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Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, right, and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone speak to the media at a joint press conference in the City Hall, London, Monday, Oct. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)   (Associated Press)
London mayor Ken Livingstone, center, is wrapped in a traditional silk sheet and turban given to him by a priest during a visit to the Shrine of Sufi Saint Nizzamuddin Auliya, in New Delhi, India, Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
Britain Conservative Party Member of Parliament Boris Johnson arrives outside City Hall in London, Monday July 16, 2007, to launch his campaign as a candidate to be the Mayor of the city. Uncombed and...   (Associated Press)
The mayor of London Ken Livingstone speaks at a press conference announcing the creation of a global Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program in New York, Wednesday, May 16, 2007. The program involves...   (Associated Press)
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