Mayor's plea to Jewish community

Ken Livingstone is heading a Unite Against Fascism conference

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has called on the Jewish community to work with him to fight fascism in the run up to the next general election.

The move follows his refusal to apologise for likening a Jewish reporter to a concentration camp guard.

Mr Livingstone said Jews as well as other minority groups need to join forces to oppose the far right political parties.

A conference has been called by Unite Against Fascism, headed by the mayor.

Mr Livingstone said: "In Britain, we have the chance to stop the... breakthrough other extreme right wing parties have made in Europe.

'Gross insensitivity'

"But stopping this will require a colossal effort by the trade unions, black, lesbian and gay, Jewish, Muslim communities, churches and other faith communities and all those opposed to the BNP."

The Labour mayor came under attack after he was recorded on tape comparing an Evening Standard reporter to a Nazi guard.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, he said there would be no apology and launched an attack on the Daily Mail group.

Zvi Heifetz, the Israeli ambassador to London, said his "gross insensitivity" has shocked Jews and non-Jews across the world.