Ken faces race inquiry

Ken Livingstone was dealt a new blow today when race relations chiefs formally referred him to an official watchdog.

The Commission for Racial Equality said his comparison of a Jewish Evening Standard reporter to a "concentration camp guard" may have breached the Race Relations Act.

This is despite Mr Livingstone's belief earlier this week that while his comments were offensive, they were not racist.

Conservatives on the London Assembly had asked the CRE to investigate the affair, which they feared were damaging racial harmony across the capital.

Under the Greater London Authority code of conduct, the Mayor has a duty to "promote good relations between persons of different racial groups and religious beliefs... and treat people with respect".

Now it has emerged that the CRE has decided to refer the matter to local government watchdog the Standards Board for England after receiving "many queries" about Mr Livingstone's remarks.

In a letter to the GLA chief executive, the CRE's director of policy Nick Johnson said: "In common with our procedures, we have passed this matter for the attention of the Standards Board for England to consider whether the Mayor's conduct breaches the code of conduct for elected members.

"In particular we have asked whether his comments might compromise the ability of the GLA to comply with its general duty, under section 71 of the amended Race Relations Act, to carry out its functions with due regard to the need to eliminate racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and good relations."

This move will further raise the pressure on the Mayor to apologise for a row that has dominated the headlines for a week and overshadowed the visit of Olympics inspectors to London.

It began when Standard reporter Oliver Finegold approached Mr Livingstone for a comment as he left a City Hall party on Tuesday night last week in celebration of the 20th anniversary of MP Chris Smith coming out as gay.

Mr Livingstone compared Finegold, who is Jewish, to a "German war criminal" and "concentration camp guard".

The CRE has the ability to seek a criminal prosecution for racist remarks.

But it is likely that it will first wish the Standards Board to consider whether the comments have brought the office of Mayor into disrepute before considering more serious action.

A separate complaint to the Standards Board has already been made by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Yesterday-Tony Blair called on the Mayor to "apologise and move on", while Lord Janner, from the Holocaust Memorial trust, said he should consider resigning.

Mr Livingstone said he would make no further comment on the affair until next week, when he plans to release a written response to the Board of Deputies and to a unanimous London Assembly motion calling on him to withdraw the remarks.

Bob Neill, Leader of the Conservatives on the London Assembly, said: "The CRE's action highlights the gravity of the situation that everyone seems to appreciate apart from the Mayor.

"He now needs to reflect very seriously on the way forward. Every hour he waits to apologise is another hour that undermines his position as Mayor."

Earlier today the Mayor's deputy, Nicky Gavron, said she believed he would express his "regret" in his own time - after Olympic chiefs have finished their visit - but not issue a full apology.

Ms Gavron said she had "no doubt" Mr Livingstone would apologise "in his own way and in his own time".