Boris's Deputy falls on his sword - now spotlight should turn on Cameron...

Ray Lewis resigned tonight after revelations that:

1. He was NOT and NEVER has been a magistrate - as claimed as recently as yesterday by Boris Johnson trying to defend his choice of Lewis as his Deputy Mayor of London and...

2. Scotland Yard investigated a string of complaints against Ray Lewis - but each time decided to take no further action.

This sleaze scandal doesn't just reflect badly on Boris Johnson who suggested he didn't need to vet Lewis because he'd already been vetted as a magistrate!!

A spokesperson for Boris Johnson actually claimed this afternoon that Lewis has 'gone through the strongest vetting process outside MI5' ...oh yeah?!

More seriously, 'Lewisgate' once again calls into question the judgement - or rather complete lack of it - by David Cameron, the Tory choice for Prime Minister.

The now shamed Ray Lewis actually introduced Cameron as 'my mate Dave' at the launch of Boris Johnson's campaign to become Mayor of London.

Cameron described Mr Lewis as

'the most inspirational person he had met since becoming Leader of the Conservatives...'

Ray's best mate Dave may be regretting his choice of 'mates'...

UPDATE: You can now see Ray Lewis's resignation speech at the BBC in which he blames the media for acting like 'a modern schoolchild who won't accept the concept of delayed gratification' and explains that it is splitting hairs to say he is not a magistrate as he has passed all the interviews and has a letter to say he will be recommended to be one.

Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has warned that London's problems won't be solved if he only appints 'antiseptic yes-men' and has spoken of Mr Lewis's 'god-given abilities'. Boris appeals for Mr Lewis to be left alone, so that he can clear his name and be re-appointed Deputy Mayor.

Some hope Boris.

UPDATE 2: Daily Mail splash tomorrow - Boris: the wheels are coming off already.

The answer is 42...

When our MPs vote today on locking up suspected terrorists for up to 42-days without charge, I hope they will put party interests aside and vote for what is right to protect all of us.

It is sad that cross-party concensus has collapsed on a crucial issue of national security.

Those against 42-days detention cite erosion of individual human rights of suspected terrorists. But this is nothing like, for instance, the abomination of Guantanamo Bay where people were caged like animals for years without charge and with little regard for their basic human rights.

On the extremely rare occasions it is envisaged that our police need to hold terror suspects for more than 28 days before charge, they will have to go through a whole series of hoops and protections for the suspect.

But this is surely much bigger than individuals. It's about protecting us all from the very serious threat of terror attacks. We must give our security forces the time they need to do their job and prevent another 7/7 or worse a 9/11 in Britain.

Peter Clarke who was until recently head of Scotland Yard's counter terrorism unit says 42 days is about protecting the public, and that we should legislate now, not in an emergency.

Former Met Chief Lord Stevens, backs 42 days. Lord Stevens has been an adviser to David Cameron and even headed a Conservative Policy task force for the Tory Leader.

The latest YouGov poll in today's Daily Telegraph shows almost three out of four people (69 per cent) support raising the detention limit from 28 days to 42 days 'in exceptional circumstances'.
Even Conservative Home, the so-called grassroots voice of Tories has today backed 42 days.

I believe those against 42 days - whether Labour rebels, David Cameron or the LibDems are wrong.

I hope my MP - Conservative John Hayes - and all those currently against 42 days will see sense at the eleventh hour, and vote today to put our country first.