JUST when we thought the race to be Mayor of London could not get any more farcical, Labour chiefs today vie with the turmoiled Tories for producing the greatest absurdity - as now they let their bM-te noire, maverick MP 'Red' Ken Livingstone, steal a pile of votes from their preferred runner, Frank Dobson.

And what piquant irony as Ken becomes the fox-friendly contender handed the opportunity to put up a private member's Bill in the Commons to outlaw hunting with hounds.

Ken came eighth in the ballot for private Bills and, so, has hardly a chance of his becoming law. But he becomes the fox's latest champion because, daftly, ministers let him - by dissuading MPs ahead of him in the queue from doing the same because they want to postpone any action until next year.

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