Lee Jasper quits

The day before he was due to face questioning from London Assembly members, Ken Livingstone’s top aide Lee Jasper has quit:

Ken Livingstone’s key aide Lee Jasper dramatically quit his job this evening after damaging sexually charged e-mails he sent were revealed by the Evening Standard. [Evening Standard]

This morning’s story explains:

The Mayor’s senior aide sent a string of messages to Karen Chouhan, the company secretary of the 1990 Trust and director of the Black Londoners’ Forum….

Days later the 1990 Trust was given £65,000 by City Hall.

Mr Jasper did not declare his relationship with Mrs Chouhan or any interest in either organisation. [Gulf News]

Quitting is clearly in the air, because meanwhile over in Epping Forest, a Conservative councillor has quit the party.