Auditor ‘horrified’ at LDA’s affairs

The head of an audit panel probing into the
London Development Agency
(LDA) and Greater London Authority (GLA)’s financial management has admitted she
is ‘somewhat horrified’ by what she has found so far.

The Forensic Audit Panel, which London Mayor Boris Johnson set up following
his election last month, has unveiled a culture of reckless spending and
political interference with few checks and balances, according to its head
Patience Wheatcroft.

She said seven police investigations had already been launched, two of which
had since been dropped, and more referrals to Scotland Yard had not been ruled
out,
The
Press Association reports.

The investigations all relate to LDA except the seventh which involves the
GLA and its role in Caribbean Showcase, an event partly organised by Lee Jasper,
former mayor Ken Livingstone’s controversial senior aide.

Further reading:

Police make arrest in LDA grant probe

Mayor’s aide falls on his sword