Tell us who your donors are, Ken

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Yet in the case of the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, it is difficult to establish the precise source of his funds because donations are made, not to him directly, but to the London Labour Party. Mr Livingstone himself is not registered as a receiver of donations.

This makes it almost impossible to establish who is supporting Mr Livingstone's campaign for reelection. What is more, the rules of disclosure mean that they will only be declared in three months' time - long after the election. This is perfectly legal. It is also at odds with the whole spirit of legislation requiring transparency in funding.

The Mayor of London's influence over planning decisions is already considerable - and will be greater after this election as a result of new legislation. In 2004, two major developers, Gerald Ronson and Irvine Sellar, made personal donations to Mr Livingstone's campaign of just under £5,000, the level at which such contributions have to be made public. And, as we report today, Mr Livingstone devoted a great deal of effort to promoting Mr Sellar's flagship project, the controversial Shard of Glass skyscraper, and used council taxpayers' money to campaign for Mr Ronson's Heron Tower, which was bitterly opposed by English Heritage.

The relationship between Mr Livingstone and property developers, including Messrs Ronson and Sellar, and Tony Pidgley of Berkeley Homes, has always been a mystery. It may be that the Mayor has been perfectly disinterested in promoting their projects and fighting heritage groups and councils to get them approved. But it is important that we know who is funding Mr Livingstone's campaign.

The Tory mayoral candidate, Boris Johnson, has disclosed all donations to his campaign of over £1,000. Mr Livingstone should do no less. His secrecy over donations is contrary to the spirit of the disclosure requirements. The Electoral Commission - which has responsibility over rules governing donations - must without delay put pressure on Mr Livingstone to come clean.