The Deputy Prime Minister has dismissed an appeal over the positioning of a statue of Nelson Mandela in Trafalgar Square.

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister today released its judgement against an appeal by Ken Livingstone, asking for permission to be given for the Mandela statue.

In the decision, the ODPM said the statue proposal would have "an unacceptable impact on the character and appearance" on Trafalgar Square.

However the ruling also said it supported the principle of having a Nelson Mandela statue in the square, and called for the Mayor of London and Westminster Council to consider alternative locations.

The ruling will come as a blow to Mr Livingstone, who has given strong backing to the Mandela statue proposal.

The ruling from the ODPM follows a report by a planning inspector, who held a public inquiry into the statue application.

Both the inspector and ODPM said the key issues were the statue's impact on the character of Trafalgar Square and on its usage for public events.

"It would be unacceptably visually intrusive with regard to the present uncluttered nature and ambience of the area," the ruling said.

In terms of public events in the area, both the inspector and the ODPM report said that, while the statue would not "curtail" activities, it would have "a significant impact" on planning and logistics.

A proposal to cover the statue with a protective screen during events was also dismissed, as "this could well be misconstrued as an indignity to the subject."

In a statement, the London mayor's office strongly disagreed with the claim that the Mandela statue would intrude on the character of the Trafalgar Square, and said the mayor would be seeking further legal advice on the ruling.