Livingstone accused of 'class-war crusade'

Ken Livingstone was last night accused of launching a "class-war" crusade with plans to restrict the right of council tenants in London to buy their homes.

Ken Livingstone was last night accused of launching a "class-war" crusade with plans to restrict the right of council tenants in London to buy their homes.

Under plans drawn up by the Mayor's housing experts, councils could refuse sales in areas where there was a severe shortage of affordable homes. Other proposals include cutting or abolishing discounts now offered to tenants as an incentive to buy their own home.

Margaret Thatcher introduced the right to buy in the 1980s as part of attempts to extend homeowning to all classes.

Mr Livingstone's housing commission is to investigate the possibility of restricting sell-offs to offer more affordable rented homes to workers such as nurses.

A Greater London Authority spokeswoman said that the proposals were at an early stage and that there was still to be consultation with members of the public and interested groups.