London mayor Ken Livingstone has been referred to the local government Standards Board over allegations about his behaviour at a late night party.

Livingstone is alleged to have manhandled his pregnant girlfriend, Emma Beale, and fought with fellow guest Robin Hedges - who fell down a stairwell.

It has also been claimed that he left the scene before the emergency services arrived.

The reports, which were made the London Evening Standard, led to a special meeting of the Greater London Assembly during which the mayor explained his version of events.

He accused the newspaper of printing lies about him in a bid to force his resignation as London mayor.

If found guilty of the charges, the mayor could be removed from office for five years.

The case was referred to the board by Liberal Democrats on the GLA.

"I thought that rather than leaving this to hang on and on that we will refer this to the Standards Board. We do need to know who is telling the truth," said leader Lord Tope.

"Either London's only regional newspaper is lying to us or the Mayor of London is lying to us. cannot leave it at that. We must know the truth."

Tuesday's announcement comes as Livingstone applied to rejoin the Labour Prty, after being expelled two years ago for running as an independent candidate in the mayoral election.

His application will be considered on July 23.