Sadiq Khan launches his bid for mayor as an alternative to champagne Boris

The former shadow justice minister has announced his long awaited bid to become Labour’s Mayor of London candidate.

Announcing the bid in the Evening Standard he said: “For the last eight years you’ve seen a red carpet mayor, somebody who is fantastic going to openings, great with a flute of champagne in his hands.

“I’d rather roll up my  sleeves and fight for all  Londoners.”

Mr Khan, the Tooting MP, is the fifth Labour name to enter the race to succeed Mr Johnson next year, following Tessa Jowell, David Lammy, Diane Abbott and Christian Wolmar.

He added: “I want to be seen as Mr London — as an exemplar of the best of London. A working class boy done good.”