Peter Hoskin

Walls closing in on Ken?

The London mayoral race is entering a bitter period, with most of the invective being directed at Ken Livingstone.  Of course, we shouldn’t be too surprised when the Evening Standard, which has had its run-ins with Livingstone, produces headlines such as “Mayor ‘misled public over cash'”.  But – surprising or not – these headlines will still spoil Livingstone’s reputation with the voting public, and have already lead to condemnation from MPs of all three parties.

More telling, though, is the fact that outlets such as the Guardian and New Statesman are adding their weight to the assault.  The Guardian’s criticism may be heavily mitigated but it exists nonetheless, with Dave Hill writing on Livingtone’s “ratty and gnarled” public image.  And in today’s New Statesman, Martin Bright – who has just completed a television documentary on Livingstone – gives

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