The Ken Livingstone team have today released this statement:

I am disappointed by the way the NEC handled the selection in Tower Hamlets and I am sure that under Ed Miliband’s leadership these things would have been handled differently.

However, my position is clear: I fully support Labour candidates in all elections and I am calling for Tower Hamlets residents to use their first preference vote for our candidate Helal Abbas.

A second preference should be used for Lutfur Rahman to keep the Tories out.

As I said before, the technical grounds to expel him from the party are very weak indeed.

Sunder Katwala at Next Left has more commentary on the situation.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

   Ken Livingstone speaks out on Tower Hamlets http://bit.ly/9eUxsp

2. Aled-Dilwyn Fisher

   RT @libcon: Ken Livingstone speaks out on Tower Hamlets http://bit.ly/9eUxsp

3. Paul Crowley

   Ken Livingstone: "I am calling for Tower Hamlets residents to use their first preference vote for [...] Helal Abbas." http://j.mp/9InAyC

4. Pucci Dellanno

   RT @libcon: Ken Livingstone speaks out on Tower Hamlets http://bit.ly/9eUxsp

5. A Khan

   Ken has now clarified his position on the Tower Hamlets election. Can all the anti-Ken bile stop now please?http://bit.ly/9eUxsp

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