London mayor Ken Livingstone is set for a triumphant return to the Labour fold after the party's ruling executive paved the way for his return yesterday.

Nicky Gavron, the official Labour candidate in next year's poll, has announced her resignation, meaning Livingstone will be able to stand for his former party as long as he can prove his future loyalty.

The ex-MP was suspended for five years in 2000 after standing against the then official candidate Frank Dobson.

But despite opposition from several big hitters, Tony Blair backed the mayor's re-admittance in order to avoid a humiliating defeat in the forthcoming London elections.