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Tuesday, 11 March 2008, 22:42 GMT

Two held in City Hall fraud probe

Ken Livingstone A second man has been arrested by police investigating fraud allegations concerning firms given funding by London's City Hall.

The 45-year-old surrendered himself at Belgravia police station. Earlier a man aged 61 was arrested, with both men held on suspicion of money laundering.

The Metropolitan Police (Met) said it had also searched homes in Harrow, Croydon, Tottenham and Leytonstone.

A Met spokesperson said the 61-year-old has been bailed until Thursday.

Police are investigating allegations of fraud in connection with six organisations which received funding from Ken Livingstone's office.

It follows allegations about money paid by the London Development Agency (LDA), City Hall's business arm, to a number of black organisations.

"If people have stolen from the LDA then we would want them to go to jail"
London Mayor Ken Livingstone

The Met spokesperson said: "A 45-year-old man voluntarily attended Belgravia police station this afternoon where he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering."

The man remains in custody.

BBC London's Political Editor Tim Donovan said the police action concerns the Green Badge Taxi School based in south London which received about £170,000 from the LDA to train ethnic minority cab drivers.

He added he expects more arrests as the inquiry develops.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said following Tuesday's police operation: "If people have stolen from the LDA then we would want them to go to jail."

Last week Mr Livingstone's race advisor Lee Jasper, 49, resigned amid allegations over the misuse of public funds.

After stepping down Mr Jasper denied any wrongdoing and said he wanted a "categoric investigation" into the claims.

An internal inquiry in January cleared him of any wrongdoing, but he was suspended by the mayor pending the police investigation.

Last month the Met said they would not investigate Mr Jasper over claims of fraud because there was "no evidence of criminal activity".




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Related to this story:
Mayor hopes to reappoint Jasper (05 Mar 08 |  London )
Mayor's race adviser steps down (04 Mar 08 |  London )
No police probe for mayor's aide (20 Feb 08 |  London )
Mayor suspends funds row adviser (15 Feb 08 |  London )
Mayor 'aware of finance problems' (07 Feb 08 |  London )
Mayor's aide cleared in funds row (11 Jan 08 |  London )

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Mayor of London
London Development Agency
Evening Standard
Metropolitan Police
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