George Galloway Enters London Mayor Race

Political veteran George Galloway will tonight enter the race to become the next mayor of London.

The Respect Party leader, who lost his seat as Bradford West MP to Labour last month, announced his intention to run for the post at the end of May, pledging to build a city that benefits everyone, not just those dripping in gold''.

He is tonight due to formally announce his bid to replace Tory Boris Johnson as London mayor from 2016.

He said: London has for too long been run in the interests of the 1% working in the city's glittering towers, whilst the vast majority of Londoners feel that their voices are not heard.

I'm running because I want to represent every piece of the mosaic of this city which I have called home for 35 years.''

Mr Galloway has already outlined housing and reform of London's police forces as two of his key policies, but will outline a fuller programme at today's launch.

The maverick left-winger is no stranger to controversy.

He was widely criticised two decades ago during a visit to Iraq in which he apparently praised tyrant leader Saddam Hussein for his courage - comments he said referred to the Iraqi people - while he was also an outspoken opponent of the 2003 invasion of the war-torn country.

He went on to appear in Celebrity Big Brother, and also recently spoke in support of corrupt Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman who was removed from office after being found guilty of electoral fraud.

Yesterday, Labour announced six candidates would vie to represent the party at the London mayoral elections

. They are Dame Tessa Jowell, MPs Sadiq Khan, David Lammy, Diane Abbott and Gareth Thomas, and journalist Christian Wolmar.