Tooting by-election triggered after Sadiq Khan stands down as MP

Sadiq Khan has triggered a by-election in Tooting after formally standing down as an MP.

His resignation is likely to spark a lively competition to win the Labour nomination for election to the south London constituency, which has regularly returned Labour MPs on comfortable majorities.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have installed former foreign secretary David Miliband as an 8-1 outside chance for the nomination, after speculation on social media that a by-election in Tooting could allow him to return to the House of Commons three years after he quit to take up a charity post in the US.

But there has so far been no indication from Mr Miliband that he is seeking the nomination.

Meanwhile, George Galloway has hinted he may stand and Dan Watkins, who stood for the Conservatives last year, is expected to run again.

Mr Khan won Tooting in 2005 by a 5,381 majority, which declined to 2,524 in 2010 and a 2,842 lead over Conservatives in last year's general election.