It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to - Ken Livingstone in tears at mayoral campaign launch

"Red Ken" broke down at a college in Greenwhich after a screening of his campaign video, where Londoners urged: “Come on Ken, London needs you”.

Livingstone explained to The Daily Telegraph why the event was so emotional. “It’s because if I lose, that’s fine, I’ll go back to doing my radio programme,” he said. “But I lose the opportunity to help millions of ordinary Londoners for whom every day is now a terrible struggle.”

Luckily Labour leader Ed Miliband was on hand to provide a comforting pat on the back. Milliband admitted that Livingstone had always been an underdog in the campaign. According to an opinion poll run by the London Evening Standard, LBC radio and London Tonight television, Mr Johnson trails 6% behind Johnson.

Livingstone used the campaign launch to put his money where his mouth is, promising to resign as Mayor if he has not cut transport fares by 7% within 5 months of his election.

The hotly contested campaign has been noted for its negativity, with accusations of tax avoidance leading to Johnson shouting at Livingstone in a lift at LBC radio last week.

Image: Getty