Join anti-war campaign, says Ken

Ken Livingstone has demanded that Tony Blair halt the march towards war with Iraq.

In a strongly worded statement, the Mayor warned today that war could have serious implications for London. Mr Livingstone will play a leading role in the anti-war campaign in London and is scheduled to speak to a Stop the War demonstration in a fortnight's time.

In a rare show of unanimity, his stance is echoed by Steve Norris, the likely Tory candidate for Mayor, who attacks the concept of the "war on terror" as "intellectually and practically flawed".

Mr Livingstone said: "London has a great deal to lose from war and a lot to gain from peace and global stability. There is now a growing and powerful international consensus that a war against Iraq must not happen. From former presidents of the US to leaders of the Arab world, there is a clear warning that attacking Iraq could disastrously destabilise the whole of the Middle East. I am pleased to be adding my voice to international consensus by speaking at the Stop the War rally and I would urge Londoners to add their voices by joining the march."

Mr Norris, in an article for the Camden New Journal, describes Saddam Hussein as "one of the nastiest pieces of work on the planet". But, he says: "Saddam does not present the threat that Hitler posed. This is Tony Blair's biggest challenge. If he can persuade George Bush to stay his hand he will earn not only my respect but the gratitude of millions."