Ken Livingstone launched a vitriolic attack on President Bush yesterday, labelling him "corrupt" and comparing him to Saddam Hussein.

Faced with questions from school children at City Hall, London's mayor said that he was as eager to see the American president leave office as he was to see Saddam brought to justice.

He added: "I think George Bush is the most corrupt American president since Harding in the Twenties. He is not the legitimate president."

Steve Norris, the Conservative candidate for mayor, condemned the remarks:

"I'm afraid this is typical Livingstone...It is utterly irresponsible for the mayor to mouth off about the US president at a time when we need to do all we can to attract back American tourists.