Ken Livingstone's hopes of returning to the Labour Party have taken a step forward following reports that Nicky Gavron is to step aside.

The National Executive Committee meets next week to discuss the issue amid signals that a deal has been cut between Livingstone and the official Labour candidate.

If the NEC agrees to end the mayor's suspension Gavron is set to return as his deputy as part of a calculated "dream ticket".

"I've listened intently to the views and concerns of party members and supporters at every level and my absolute priority is to reunite the Labour vote in London," she said. "It is really a matter for the NEC."

But Tory mayoral hopeful Steve Norris argued that voters would feel "let down" if Livingstone returned to the fold.

"Londoners will feel let down, they voted for Ken Livingstone in the mistaken belief he was an independent who said he would put London first," he said.

"Now they are stuck with a Labour mayor - despite only 14 per cent of them voting Labour in the last mayoral election.

"This is just a cynical deal to enable Livingstone to pay for his re-election campaign. He is simply putting Labour party politics ahead of the people of London.

"People in the capital will want to know what Livingstone is giving up in return for becoming part of the Labour machine."

Liberal Democrat candidate Simon Hughes said the meetings revealed a weakness in both Labour and Livingstone's campaigns for next year's election.

"All the discussions must clearly have been prompted by the fact that Labour and Livingstone can be beaten in London," he said.

"Ken Livingstone and Labour lost his former seat of Brent East and this shows Londoners which party is in the best position beat them in the Mayoral election.

"I am happy to take on both Mr Livingstone and Mrs Gavron or either one. But if integrity and consistency mean anything to Labour then they should not go back on its promise to suspend Mr Livingstone.

"He should serve his suspension and Labour should stick to its principles."