Labour left-winger Ken Livingstone has rubbished a plan to hold an inquiry into the London Underground's future by the party's official candidate for London mayor Frank Dobson.

Mr Livingstone, who narrowly lost the Labour nomination for mayor to Mr Dobson a week ago, said the former health secretary's plan was an "evasion" and left Labour as the only party without a policy on what he said was the defining issue on the campaign.

The Brent East MP is yet to announce whether he will stand as an independent candidate against Mr Dobson.

Dobson changes tack

Mr Dobson floated his plan to set up an independent panel to examine the best way to finance the redevelopment of London's Tube system on Thursday.

His new call for an inquiry represents a shift from Prime Minister Tony Blair's approved policy on the issue, which is to back a public-private partnership.

A PPP would see a private company take control of the day-to-day operation of some Underground lines, and is opposed by Mr Livingstone who says it would compromise safety and is unpopular with Londoners.

The Brent East MP supports a New York-style bond issue to raise investment for the Tube's ageing infrastructure.

Earlier in the week Mr Livingstone urged Labour to drop its plans for PPP or risk turning May's mayoral election into a "a referendum on London's right to govern itself".

PPP rejected?

Following up those remarks on Friday, Mr Livingstone said: "Frank Dobson's statement confirms that the government's plan to break up and partially privatise the Tube is totally rejected by Londoners.

"No candidate is now prepared to openly defend this policy.

"The inquiry into the Southall rail crash has just confirmed that the fragmentation of the rail industry after privatisation contributed to the breakdown of safety.

"Londoners have no wish to see a similar situation on the Tube.

'Dobson without Tube policy'

"Mr Dobson's announcement that he will refer the issue to an inquiry reporting after the election is an evasion.

"It means Frank will be the only candidate with no policy on the defining question for Londoners on 4 May. In reality this issue cannot be evaded.

"London wants a mayor who will fight the privatisation and break up of the Tube by every legal means at their disposal."

Implicit in the statement was the suggestion that Mr Dobson's shift of emphasis on the Tube is not enough to convinve Mr Livingstone not to take the gamble of his political life and run as an independent.

'Livingstone should not stand'

But the pressure on Mr Livingstone to remain loyal to the party he has served for decades is mounting.

Former Labour leader Michael Foot stepped into the debate telling the BBC: "I think it would be quite improper that he should stand after he's said he wouldn't stand in these circumstances."

Mr Foot's warnings follows those of some union leaders.

Transport workers' boss Bill Morris said Mr Livingstone should throw his weight behind the Dobson campaign.

Mr Morris said: "Now the selection is over there needs to be unity around the official Labour candidate and the party."