Boris takes deputy's City Hall credit card

Boris Johnson has confiscated the City Hall credit card of one his deputy mayors who was found to be using it to purchase personal items.

Deputy mayor for external relations Ian Clement spent about £1,500 on a car CD player, eating out at a restaurant and on groceries.

A source said he had been "bollocked" by the Mayor, who stressed: "Transparency and taxpayer value are at the heart of my administration. I take very seriously indeed any behaviour that could potentially raise questions about that firm commitment."

The Mayor added: "Although Ian repaid the GLA as soon as the card statement was received, he should not have used it in this capacity."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "An internal investigation established there were items on the bills not related to GLA business.

"On every occasion the expenditure had been repaid at the earliest opportunity. There was no personal gain. Mr Clement has apologised to the Mayor."

Mr Clement could not be reached for comment.