Ken Livingstone today pledged to eradicate "no-go zones" for women on London's transport network.

The Mayor said he would improve lighting and bring in more staff and extra police on buses, trains and platforms.

He would also crack down on illegal minicabs, introduce priority seats for pregnant women on the Tube and have more wardens patrolling parks.

Mr Livingstone, who was joined by actress Emma Thompson to launch his manifesto for women, said he would campaign for equal pay. He emphasised changes he has already made and warned that London would be a worse place for women under Tory rival Boris Johnson.

"I have used the full extent of my powers to deliver changes that women say their lives need: making transport fit women's lives, delivering better, affordable childcare, tackling pay inequality, policies that have seen a fall in the number of women killed by domestic violence," Mr Livingstone said.

"Much more needs to be done but it would be thrown into reverse by Boris Johnson, who has no record of supporting women's equality."

Mr Livingstone also promised a new London Skills Board code of practice to get more women into training and secure flexible working and apprenticeships. He said women would get an equal share of the 50,000 new jobs from the Olympics.

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