Ken attacks Boris over 'flip-flops' on policy

Ken Livingstone launched a pre-emptive strike on Boris Johnson's mayoral campaign today, attacking the Conservative MP on everything from housing policy to his links to a convicted armed robber.

Mr Johnson, the bookies' favourite, must defeat three challengers to clinch the nomination to fight Mr Livingstone in next year's election.

But the Mayor issued "10 policy questions for Tories in London", effectively a broadside against the Henley MP's record.

He attacked Mr Johnson's plan to dump his targets for affordable housing in the capital, and his proposal to overhaul London's bus contracts.

He also highlighted the MP's friendship with Darius Guppy, who was jailed for staging an armed robbery of a New York jeweller's in the Nineties, and convicted of defrauding the Lloyds of London insurance market of £1.8 million.

Mr Livingstone claimed there was a wider issue of Mr Johnson's "flip-flops" on policy and his general lack of "managerial competence".

Mr Johnson will face rivals Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot for the first time tonight at the hustings at Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel near Westminster.

The week's hustings to choose the Tory candidate:

Monday, 6.30pm, Thames Room, Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, 18 Albert Embankment SE1
Tuesday, 7.30pm, Lambourne Room, Town Hall, High Road, Ilford
Wednesday, 7.30pm, Winston Churchill Hall, Manor Farm Site, Pinn Way, Ruislip Friday, 7.30pm, Open Door Community Centre, Keevil Drive, SW19

Former police chief Brian Paddick, 49, today emerged as the frontrunner in the race to become the Liberal Democrat candidate in mayoral contest.