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Ken Livingstone took a secret campaign donation from a property developer and then misled the public by claiming he does not know who funds him, the Standard reveals today.
The Mayor received the £30,000 knowing it was from multi-millionaire Sharad Patel who wants to build a £120 million theme park and leisure complex in north-west London, then claimed he knew nothing of who his donors were.
He saw the cheque, from Mr Patel's wife made out to the Labour Party, and agreed to meet him for dinner, once his 2004 election campaign was over.
The revelation means the Mayor misled the public when he repeatedly denied he was aware of who had donated money to him in 2004.
Last week he said: "The mayor should not be involved in fundraising. I wasn't last time, I don't want to be this time."
Mr Livingstone is under pressure to name the donors to his re-election campaign. Cash for his attempt to gain a third term in City Hall is funnelled through the Labour Party and donors' identities will not be revealed until after the 1 May poll.
Mr Patel has been attempting for 15 years to build a theme park, hotel and leisure complex called the Asia Centre on derelict land in Park Royal but has been locked in a long-running battle over it with Brent council.
The Mayor, who has massive power over planning in London, expressed his support for the scheme shortly before he received the cheque, which was given to a senior aide in a coffee shop. The aide, Atma Singh, rushed to show the Mayor the cheque and said: "He was delighted."
After Mr Livingstone was shown the cheque, one of his senior aides made a string of visits to the local council to discuss the scheme.
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Reader views (30)
Why on earth has he got away with this? Surely this is something the police should be looking into? Is it legal for the funds to be funnelled through the Labour party without disclosure? Come on Boris or Brian ..are either of you going to pursue this fabrication?
- Shiredweller, Berkshire
He is a disgrace to London with his morals of an alley cat, his lack of integrity and his cunning foul mouthed tongue. Why has the media been so silent about his lying and deceit for so long? He needs booted out now.
- Regina Smith, London
Shouldn't the police investigate this non-disclosure?
- Teddy, Islington, London
On Newsnight Ken continued the fiction that he did not know who funded him.
A string of property developers have written cheques with the implicit aim of currying favour and distorting London's planning guidelines.
Let's hope London decides for a clean out on May 1st and ditches Ken and his cronies in favour of fresh thinking and fresh ideas.
Bring on Boris!
- Paul Canal, London
We need this lying toad out now. He and his cronies are as bent as a corkscrew.
Still no mention where the missing millions have gone is there or who knew what and when.
That was our money Livingstone not to be given to these dubious people never to be seen again.
- Kenherts, Enfield
The joke is that people will still vote for 'man of the people' Ken on 1st May. When will people wake up. He lied about LDA grants, lied about donations, lied about increasing the congestion charge from £5, lied about the oil deal with Chavez...I could go on but even the newts can follow the pattern of behaviour here...
- Steve, London
When someone is in power for long enough they become arrogant. It does not matter who it is. Two terms is enough; it's time for change.
Vote for Boris, forget your second preference he is the only politician who says what he thinks.
- 601, London
James Nash has it part right. The latest dubious claim by Andrew Gilligan was not to cover up a 2 point lead but actually an 8 point lead amongst all voters - buried further down the article. Anyone surprised this was not given the same prominence as the YouGov poll? Or how 8 points is presented as neck and neck?
- Darius, London
Well you all know what to do on May 1st then..... and don't put Ken or the Greens (who have cosied up and help him win votes all year) as your 2nd choice for god's sake!
- Mark, London
To totally misquote Oscar Wilde; to indulge in dodgy financial dealings once is unfortunate (Lee Jasper) to indulge in dodgy financial dealings twice is merely careless! (and unacceptable). Get Ken out! Re James Nash (who clearly works as one of kens many minions): why would anyone take any notice of a UNISON poll? You couldn't get more of a left wing bias if you tried!
- Sj, London
This isn't Chicago, Mr. Livingstone. It's time you went. London is not your personal fiefdom with which you can play; and as taxpayers we demand a higher standard of public service than we are getting. Nose out trough, please!
- Ziggie, Tower Hamlets
Is it an issue that the mayor and his party receive numerous funds from various sources or is it more to the point that they fail to disclose who they receive it from and when? It shows a complete lack of honesty with the public on Livingstone's behalf.
- Jon W, London
With so many "backhanders" sorry expenses,nepotism etc, going about why does London need a Mayor? You must have 20 plus MPs and local councillors to look after your gripes. You have Asian rites,black rites, Jewish rites groups, which your council tax pays for why do you need a Mayor? Manchester wants a Mayor. I'm off, away from the Country. Bye
- Geoff, Manchester England
Enough is enough!
Ken must resign immediately and leave politics forever!
How can anyone be allowed to continue in a position of trust when they repeatedly are found out to be anything but honest & trustworthy?
- Fraser, Telford Park
Re Ross Todhunter's comment: I presume you are suggesting that Mr Gilligan's exposure of the dodgy dossier was somehow flawed. How very typical of Zanu Labour trolls to misrepresent the truth. Surely, Gilligan was right in his assertions that the whole question of WOMD was sexed up to justify Labours push for a war in Iraq..
Mr Gilligan, keep up the good work, expose these phoneys where ever they are. Without real investigative journalists who have the courage to speak out and expose the hypocrisy of politicians this country would be in an even worse state.
- Captain Chaos, London UK
Dear "Diversity"
Could you I wonder, tell us what "Ken's" virtues are? I see a man who first gained control of the GLC by underhanded trickery, a man who imposes his Stalinist aggression and ego driven vanity on anyone and anything he can control or bully into submission.
the only "virtue' that I can see he has is that his self serving slyness has been consistent and evident for over 20 years.
Unfortunately I suspect he still has enough Client Groups in place to win the election. I just hope I am wrong.
- Steve, London
Ross, Steve and James are you by any chance working in the Mayor's Press Office?
Funny how three very out of touch comments are posted almost simultaneously! You must take the voting public for mugs...
- N/A, UK
Why are we expected to be surprised? He and his mates within the labour party are experts at this. They have been doing this for years and have got away with it.
- Ian Makin, Twickenham
Ken's refusal to reveal the names of his election donors is shocking! Everyone knows he's funded by the trade unions, so why doesn't he make it clear to the public himself? The Times reports today that at last night's British Press Awards, staff from trade union Unite boasted about their £50,00 donation to Kens campaign. They also claim to have funded the popular 'I think I fancy Boris' youtube spoof. These are dirty tactics. It's disgusting.
- David, London, UK
And no doubt you'll be balancing this article with a piece on Lord Ashcroft's funding of the Tories. Plus I notice who has authored this muckraking on Ken - Andrew Gilligan, a really reliable news source. Some of us don't have conveniently short memories of you Mr Gilligan.
- Ross Todhunter, London, UK
The claim is insubstantial and feels like slinging whatever muck the Standard can find - presumably to cover the suspiciously quiet coverage of the IPSOS MORI poll, released today by Unison, that shows Ken is leading Boris by two points.
- James Nash, West London
With such an obvious, personal vendetta here, this writer - indeed, this paper as a whole - has absolutely zero credibility when reporting on the mayoralty race.
It's a shame, because you used to have a reputation for balance.
- Steve, London
The mayor's activities in planning matters shows his contempt for the local Burroughs concerned,who are more in touch with the needs and wishes of their electorate. What he and the Labour party also seem oblivious to is the fact if it transpires that there is any suggestion that donations have been made to influence Planning decisions in Lambeth Westminster or Brent then Labour will carry the stigma of corruption but, given the Cash for Honours revelations the disregard of regulations on cash donations, and the Speaker's expenses, one gets the feeling "they aren't bovvered"
- Jerry, London
Ken has, or rather had, his virtues; but letting his left hand know what his right hand is doing has never been one of them.
I shall give my first preference to Paddick. If Paddick is in the final two, he is fairly certain to beat Ken. So many people are anti-Boris that Boris might lose to Ken in a run-off.
- Diversity, London
How many more lies does this man continue to hide.
'With me, everyone knows what they're getting. It's on the tin'
Ken Livingstone
Yeah right... but it's what's in the tin...
On your bike Ken, your days are definitely numbered.
- Asw, Hong Kong
What a shock - imagine what else is hidden by this crook! Clearly he needs to stay in office - Zanu Labour here were come
- Serpico, London
We're back in Ken land; where eco-friendly altruistic property developers erect not for profit buildings in a city with no crime where people greet each other cheerily on the street and count their blessings that such a benign dictator rules over them.
Wake up Ken and wake up voters and get rid of this self serving hypocrite on May 1st when you have a chance.
- Robin, London
Shock horror, property developer donates money to Ken as part of his election campaign and Ken fails to declare it (again). I'm now starting to wonder if Mr Livingstone's communist ideals would be far better suited to modern China than to London as he seems top make up the rules as he goes along.
- Sikov Asken, London
Sadly what else can you expect from Livingstone?
- David, Crawley UK
Surely, if we want to know who has donated to Ken, we need look only at any companies who have gained dubious planning permission during his tenure (as well, of course, as the Unions who appear to have free reign to strike these days).
Isn't this sort of duplicity illegal? I mean, surely the laws relating to full disclosure are there for a reason, so why does Ken think he is above them? Ken, please tell us (or is this what you deem to be a racist vendetta against your donor?)
- Pottedmeat, London
