Boris wields axe at LDA and launches 'transparency' probe

A week into his new role as London Mayor, Boris Johnson has today sacked two London Development Authority (LDA) bosses and announced the launch of a 'forensic audit' into both the LDA and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

LDA chair Mary Reilly and chief executive Manny Lewis were 'asked to step down from their roles', and will be replaced by Harvey McGrath as interim chair and another former Westminster man, Peter Rogers, as interim chief executive.

Johnson said of the swift sackings: 'I was elected on a very clear mandate of providing value for money for London taxpayers. It starts here with the London Development Agency.'

Harvey McGrath has served as vice chair of the new London Skills and Employment Board, while Peter Rogers has spent the last four years as chief executive of Westminster City Council.

The announcement of the sackings came minutes after Johnson revealed that he had instigated the formation of a 'forensic audit panel' that will put both the LDA and GLA under the microscope.

According to a release the panel 'has been tasked with recommending procedures to guarantee probity and transparency, as well as identifying areas where efficiencies can be made and resources redirected to the new Mayor's priorities'. 

The review of the LDA will focus on:
• allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the awarding of grants;    
• how conflicts of interest are detected and recorded; and  
• the monitoring of grant recipients' performance in delivering what they promised.

The review of the GLA will focus on:
• publicity and advertising expenditure;
• the use of external consultants and agency staff; and
• all areas where expenditure has grown since 2004.