THE former leader of Bexley Council is the latest politician to be caught up in an expenses row.

Ian Clement resigned as Tory council leader in May last year to take up a £124,000-a-year job as one of London Mayor Boris Johnson’s deputy mayors.

Now he has been forced to hand back his Greater London Authority (GLA) credit card after it was revealed he chalked up bills of up to £1,500 buying personal items such as groceries, a car CD player and meals out.

Following an internal investigation Mr Clement, who has paid back the money, has been stripped of the card.

Labour group leader on Bexley Council Councillor Chris Ball, who handed over the reins of the council to Mr Clement following the 2006 borough election, said: “I am disappointed, but not surprised.”

Liberal Democrat Duncan Borrowman, a prospective parliamentary candidate in Old Bexley and Sidcup, called for Mr Clement to quit or be sacked.

News Shopper tried to speak to Mr Clement but he referred the paper to a spokeswoman for the Mayor who issued a statement on his behalf.

It said: “The deputy mayor for external relations, Ian Clement, has handed back his corporate credit card following an internal investigation into its use.

“The investigation established there were items on the bills which were not related to GLA business.

“On every occasion the expenditure had been repaid at the earliest opportunity and it was firmly established there was no personal gain on any occasion.”

Bexley Council’s Labour group has questioned Mr Clement’s expenses in the past.

Last year Cllr Ball questioned the council about two trips Mr Clement made to the USA to take part in a leadership programme run by BT.

Bexley paid £7,000 in hotel bills, flights and a car to and from the airport.

Six months after the second part of the programme, Mr Clement resigned to take up his City Hall job.

Commenting on Mr Clement’s unauthorised use of the credit card, Mr Johnson said: “Although Ian repaid the GLA as soon as the credit card statement was received, he should not have used it in this capacity and so appropriate action has been taken.”

The current leader of Bexley Council, Councillor Teresa O’Neill, was unavailable for comment.