Labour to decide on early end to Livingstone expulsion

Labour will decide this month whether to readmit Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, to the party.

Mr Livingstone, who has formally applied for party membeship, was expelled by Labour two years ago after deciding to run as an independent candidate for Mayor. The ban is in force for five years, but a decision to readmit the left-wing former MP would allow him to stand as a Labour candidate for Mayor in 2004.

The party's 33-member National Executive Committee will consider Mr Livingstone's application on 23 July. The date is significant because the meeting will also decide on the process for choosing Labour's candidate for Mayor.

Many senior Labour figures are still angry about Mr Livingstone's decision to stand for Mayor. He pushed Labour into third place in the poll in May 2000, behind the Tories.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister and a member of the NEC, said on the BBC's Breakfast with Frost yesterday: "Last time he came before us he told a tissue of lies. I just don't believe this man in whatever he says. But of course I will be fair in my consideration when it comes before the executive."

Other MPs were more supportive. Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said: "I believe that this is in the best interests of the London Labour Party, otherwise we will see a mayoral election where the London party is hopelessly split as it was the last time."

Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, told the BBC: "Certainly there's been a difference of views to say the least between Ken and the Government on the issue of London Underground. But apart from that, if you look at the broad thrust of Ken Livingstone's policies, they're very much in tune with what the Government is doing."