Jeremy Corbyn refuses to rule out taking on Sadiq Khan with bid to be London Mayor

Jeremy Corbyn has refused to rule out a bid for London Mayor as an independent candidate.

The former Labour leader, who sits as an independent in the Commons, would not give an answer either way when grilled on ITV's Peston.

Host Robert Peston asked Mr Corbyn: "Are you going to run for London Mayor?”

The Islington North MP said: "I'll let you know."

Mr Peston pressed: "That's not a no, is it?"

The veteran left-winger then joked that Mr Peston "can't expect" him to come on his show and make an announcement.

It comes just days after Mr Corbyn insisted he was "ruling nothing in and ruling nothing out" when quizzed about running for the City Hall role.

The 74-year-old, who was stripped of the Labour whip in 2020 over an antisemitism row, has been blocked by his successor Sir Keir Starmer from standing for Labour in the London constituency he has held for decades.

Labour incumbent Mr Khan, who is facing pressure over his expansion of the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) is seeking a record third term in the capital's top job.

But if Mr Corbyn does run it risks splitting the left-wing vote in next year's election.

London Assembly member Susan Hall was yesterday selected as the Conservative candidate.