Under-fire mayoral advisor Lee Jasper has quit from a group which advises police on tackling gun crime in the black community.

Mr Jasper, who is fighting claims of misusing public funds, stepped down from his role as chairman of the Trident Independent Advisory Group on Monday.

One of London Mayor Ken Livingstone's closest aides, Mr Jasper was also suspended as an officer for the Greater London Authority last week as he vowed to clear his name over the claims.

These come from London's Evening Standard newspaper which has claimed hundreds of thousands of pounds have been paid to the projects with little or nothing to show for it.

Writing to members of the group, he said the media's "politically-motivated racist smear campaign" had forced his resignation.

He added: "I have no doubt that remaining as your chair would risk inviting further critical comment from the press and would prove very difficult to explain to police officers and the public at large."

Last week Mr Livingstone challenged Mr Jasper's accusers to take their evidence to the Metropolitan Police so a full criminal investigation can be conducted.

He said a police investigation was now the only way to end a "disgraceful political charade".