Stars voice outrage at mayoral suspension

A number of showbiz stars have voiced their outrage at the suspension of Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, poet Michael Rosen, actress Susan Woolridge, artist Ralph Steadman and Turner Prize-winner Jeremy Deller have signed a letter in support of the mayor, who was suspended for likening reporter Oliver Finegold to a concentration camp guard.

Saint Etienne, The Futureheads, Billy Bragg and many others have also expressed their support for Livingstone.

In a joint statement they explained: “This is the second time Ken Livingstone has been removed from the elected leadership of London government by people who have no mandate from Londoners. The first time was by Margaret Thatcher and now by this quango.

“It is astonishing that in a modern democracy an election can be overturned by three people who no one has ever heard of and who have not been elected by anyone. It is an outrage against democracy and it should be removed immediately.”