Ken called in to dampen fire dispute

Ken Livingstone has been drafted in by Downing Street to help head off the looming national fire strike.

London's Mayor is engaged in behind-thescenes talks to persuade fire authority leaders to settle the dispute with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the Evening Standard has learned.

The threat of a strike erupted last week when Labour councillors packed a meeting that many had hoped would finally agree a pay and conditions deal for firefighters. With an agreement very close, local government minister Nick Raynsford was blamed along with Labour fire authority members for taking a hardline stance that effectively killed a deal.

But Downing Street is now so worried about the prospect of thousands of troops being dragged in as emergency cover that Mr Livingstone is being used as a "go-between" to defuse the dispute. With allies in the FBU, the Mayor has a key role because he appoints the chair of London's Fire Authority.

The current chair, Val Shawcross, is seen as one of the hardliners blocking a peace deal.

The Mayor's office today remained tight-lipped about his involvement but did put out a statement on his behalf. "I would urge both sides to get back to the negotiating table to avoid a damaging and unnecessary dispute," it said.

It is understood that Mr Livingstone's senior aide, Redmond O'Neill, is closely involved in the negotiations.

In a bid to bypass fire employers close to Mr Raynsford, a so-called "chairs and chiefs" meeting of fire authority chairmen and chiefs of fire brigades is set to go ahead either this week or next.

Liberal Democrat and Tory councillors on fire authorities believe they have sufficient numbers to agree a new pay formula with