London mayor battle erupts as Labour and Reform MPs slam Tory hopeful James Cleverly

Announcing his move, he launched a series of attacks on Sir Sadiq Khan.

“Under Sadiq Khan’s Mayorship London’s reputation has been allowed to slip, at home and abroad, while too many of its problems have been left to fester," he said.

But former Cabinet minister Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North swiftly hit back: “A senior member of the Tory government that cut London’s police, doubled homelessness and starved London of funding year after year?"Londoners don’t forget.”

In a sign that Sir James will face a battle from the Left and the Right, Reform chairman Lee Anderson responded to the Tory MP's move by posting on X: “Does that mean the Lib Dems will have two candidates standing?”

But there was a groundswell of support for Sir James from Conservatives as he is by far the most heavyweight potential mayoral candidate since Boris Johnson.

Shadow education secretary Laura Trott, MP for Sevenoaks, messaged: “London is an incredible city that deserves a much better Mayor than the one it has at the moment.

“James would be outstanding."

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge posted: "Great news! Delighted James will be running for London Mayor. Looking forward to the campaign.

However, Sir James has not yet been selected as the Tory mayoral contender and party leader Kemi Badenoch has urged other potential candidates to come forward as she seeks the strongest challenger to Sir Sadiq, or whoever is the Labour contender.