Simon Hughes has attacked the government's Iraq policy, saying it has made a terrorist attack on London more likely.

The Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate was set to make the claim at a special regional party conference on Thursday evening.

Hughes was also expected to promise that, if successful in June's election, he would "unite" the Capital.

Criticising the decision to go to war, the mayoral candidate said cash spent on the war in Iraq could be better spent in the UK.

"The Blair government and Blair's mayor have made London more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack than ever before," he said.

"Why is it that £3 billion could be spent on an unjustified war in Iraq, when London has to fight for every penny to tackle crime and prevent terrorism?"

Hughes was also expected to say that he would be a "mayor in nobody's pocket", focused on security, transport and quality of life.

Livingstone

Incumbent mayor Ken Livingstone was also set to come in for stinging criticism.

"Blair's mayor has divided communities, divided boroughs and divided London," Hughes was set to argue.

"Mr Livingstone has been blind to the divides he and his government have created between the rich and poor and the inner and outer parts of London. It is time for a new mayor for a Greater London.

"London needs a mayor who is nobody's pocket. Londoners don't want a mayor who is the pocket of the unions or Tony Blair, and they don't want a mayor who is in the pocket of big business or Jarvis.

"Londoners need an independent mayor who will fight for London at home and abroad, and will make London united."