Tony paves way for Ken

Tony Blair today opened up the way for Ken Livingstone to come back into the Labour fold and stand as the party's choice for London Mayor in two years' time.

But the prospect of his rejoining the party came with a warning - that he would have to abide by the rules governing the selection of a candidate this time round.

Mr Livingstone was expelled from the party in 2000 when he stood as an independent mayoral candidate. He has until the end of July to make a formal application to rejoin.

Labour's ruling National Executive Committee today deferred the decision on what selection procedure will be used.