Ken seeks deal to join Labour

Ken Livingstone is pressing for a deal which could see him becoming Labour's candidate in next year's Mayoral elections.

He is trying to forge new links with key ministers and is shunning moves to hit out at government policy.

Any deal to readmit him to the party would be hugely controversial and would face objections from key figures such as Gordon Brown and John Prescott.

But some senior officials close to Tony Blair are warming to the idea - - because it could help avoid humiliation for Labour at the polls.

Opinion polls predict Labour candidate Nicky Gavron will come fourth behind Mr Livingstone, Tory Steve Norris and Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes.

To avoid this, it has been suggested that Ms Gavron could withdraw from the contest in return for a guarantee that she would be Mr Livingstone's deputy.

Mr Livingstone was expelled by Labour after standing for Mayor as an independent in 2000 - - his exile was meant to last five years. Any deal to readmit him would have to be in place well before next May's elections.

Mr Livingstone has constantly stressed his desire to rejoin Labour whose general secretary David Triesman was said today to be ready to open negotiations about a deal.

But a Labour spokesman said: "Nicky Gavron is our candidate and will remain so."