Ken 'talks peace'with Labour

Signs of an extraordinary peace deal between Ken Livingstone and Labour emerged today after a meeting between the Mayor and the party's chairman.

Mr Livingstone spent more than an hour with Cabinet minister Charles Clarke in what both sides described as a "friendly chat" in a bar.

Neither side would say what was discussed but many at Westminster see the session as a possible prelude to the controversial readmittance of Mr Livingstone to Labour's ranks.

Mr Clarke has previously been one of the strongest opponents of Mr Livingstone's return.

When he made his contentious decision to fight the 2000 mayoral election as an independent he was expelled from Labour for a minimum five years - preventing him fighting the 2004 election in his former party's colours.

However, several senior Labour figures are calling for Mr Livingstone to be readmitted early and for him to go forward for selection as the party's official candidate.