Boris's former deputy is charged with fraud

Boris Johnson's disgraced former deputy mayor has been charged with fraud over the alleged misuse of his expenses. Ian Clement, 44, the former deputy mayor for external relations, has been charged with five counts of fraud, each relating to meals paid for using his corporate credit card.

Mr Clement was forced to resign in June over the allegations. He had previously used the card to upgrade himself on a flight to Beijing in 2008. The Mayor eventually confiscated his card after he used it for more personal expenditure, including for work on his car.

The London Mayor originally stuck by his deputy, but was forced to act when it was revealed that Mr Clement had told police that the meals had been taken with the leaders of London councils. Mr Clement had in fact been dining with his 23-year old girlfriend, the Tory agent Claire Dowson. Mr Clement is the third deputy mayor to quit since Mr Johnson took office in May last year. He will appear at City of Westminster magistrates' court on Tuesday.