Poll good news for Ken

9:20am Monday 28th January 2008

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has stretched his lead over Conservative rival Boris Johnson according to the latest opinion poll.

The YouGov/ITV London poll shows Mr Livingstone with 44 per cent of the vote, increasing his lead over Mr Johnson from 1 per cent in the last survey to 4 per cent.

The poll followed a Channel 4 Dispatches programme which criticised the mayor's record and his management of the London Development Agency.

A Livingstone campaign spokesman welcomed the poll result, saying internet polling had traditionally underestimated his support.

Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick picked up 8 per cent of the vote.

The London mayoral election is due on May 1.