The Commission for Racial Equality have intervened in the row over Ken Livingstone and his clash with a Jewish newspaper reporter whom he likened to a Nazi concentration camp guard.

The race watchdog called on the Standards Board for England to consider whether the mayor's behaviour compromised the ability of the Greater London Authority to comply with the Race Relations Act.

Meanwhile, the Guardian says one of Livingstone's senior aides has revealed the mayor came close to apologising for the comments, but came out fighting because he felt cornered.

The paper states: "The mayor is a man who has to reach his destination himself."

The Independent claims the mayor will express "regret" in a statement to the Jewish community next Tuesday.