Ray Lewis interview

Last Modified: 03 Jul 2001
By: Jon Snow

Deputy Mayor of London Ray Lewis speaks to Jon Snow about the allegations of misconduct he faces.

The Deputy Mayor of London Ray Lewis is to be investigated over allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.

Describing the claims as "utter rubbish", Mr Lewis told this programme the Church of England had never told him he'd been suspended as a priest.

'I am saying to you that I am not aware of being struck off any list'
- Ray Lewis, Deputy Mayor of London

Talking to Jon Snow this evening, Ray Lewis said that he was "not aware of being struck off of any list."

Responding to Jon Snow's question as to whether he had ever had a conversation with any Bishop, Archbishop or Archdeacon about even the slightest misgiving about his behaviour, he said,

"I am not saying that. I am saying to you that I am not aware of being struck off any list."

Adding: "I have spoken to the then Bishop of Barking but he didn't say to me that I was struck off any particular list.

"That discussion had nothing to do with me being struck off or any concerns that he had."

'A misdemeanour of such seriousness had been committed that in the opinion of the Archbishop, the person concerned should not exercise his ministry for the time being.'
- The Right Reverend John Gladwin, Bishop of Chelmsford,

Statement from The Bishop of Chelmsford, The Right Reverend John Gladwin

"Ray Lewis, London's Deputy Mayor for Young People, was ordained in the Church of England in 1990, and served in the parish of St Matthew, West Ham in the diocese of Chelmsford between 1993 - 1997.

"After this date, he moved to Grenada in the diocese of the Windward Islands, where he ministered until 1999, after which he resigned from ministry altogether.

"Between 1999 and 2005 Ray was placed under the formal disciplinary structures of the Church of England, and his ministry was restricted. This was because a misdemeanour of such seriousness had been committed that in the opinion of the Archbishop, the person concerned should not exercise his ministry for the time being.

"The diocese of Chelmsford is happy to co-operate with the Inquiry which is being set up by the Mayor of London."