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 The BBC's Nick Robinson reports"At first he refused to come"  real 28k  |
Mayoral rivals clash in TV debate
Mr Dobson issues his challenge
Frank Dobson and Ken Livingstone have clashed over the left-winger's refusal to say whether he plans to stand as an independent in London's mayoral contest.
The two men were appearing on the same platform together for the first time since Mr Dobson narrowly defeated Mr Livingstone to become Labour's candidate for London mayor.
And on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday evening, Mr Dobson challenged Mr Livingstone to "make my day" and either back him or run as an independent in the mayoral poll.
But Mr Livingstone said he was giving Labour time "to sort out the mess" over the controversial electoral procedure used to elect the candidate.
In a direct challenge to the Brent East MP, however, Mr Dobson said: "Ken is saying that he can't make his mind up until I've made my mind up.
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And on the BBC's Question Time programme on Thursday evening, Mr Dobson challenged Mr Livingstone to "make my day" and either back him or run as an independent in the mayoral poll.
But Mr Livingstone said he was giving Labour time "to sort out the mess" over the controversial electoral procedure used to elect the candidate.
In a direct challenge to the Brent East MP, however, Mr Dobson said: "Ken is saying that he can't make his mind up until I've made my mind up.
So as far as I am concerned you can say now, are you going to support me or are you going to stand separately? Go on, make my day  |
Frank Dobson
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"Well let me make it clear, Ken. I've made my mind up. I'll say it to your face. I am the official Labour candidate, I am not going to stand down.
"So no matter how much you and your friends organise within the Labour Party in London to try to have a go at me about this, I will not change my mind. I will be the official Labour candidate.
"So as far as I am concerned you can say now, are you going to support me or are you going to stand separately? Go on, make my day."
Difficult decision
"So no matter how much you and your friends organise within the Labour Party in London to try to have a go at me about this, I will not change my mind. I will be the official Labour candidate.
"So as far as I am concerned you can say now, are you going to support me or are you going to stand separately? Go on, make my day."
Difficult decision
 Mr Dobson: "Make my day"
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But Mr Livingstone replied: "It's no good Frank, simply saying 'I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going to listen'. Londoners expect you to listen.
"Londoners would rather you stood down, so the Labour Party members get the candidate they voted for, which is me.
"You say you were great to get 40% of the vote. I actually got 60% - in most countries in the world, that means you win."
He said he was facing the "most difficult decision in my life" as he considered whether to break away from Labour.
"Londoners would rather you stood down, so the Labour Party members get the candidate they voted for, which is me.
"You say you were great to get 40% of the vote. I actually got 60% - in most countries in the world, that means you win."
He said he was facing the "most difficult decision in my life" as he considered whether to break away from Labour.
I'm in the unfortunate dilemma of actually doing what Londoners want or breaking my word |
Ken Livingstone
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But he warned that Labour risked losing the election because of the "mess" of the party's election procedure.
The encounter between the two men - with Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer and Tory Steve Norris looking on - came after Mr Livingstone urged Labour members to join him at a mass meeting in London on Monday.
'Total disaster'
In a letter to party members, he said he was trying to "bring the party leadership to its senses in the few weeks which remain before the elections".
Mr Livingstone has indicated that he will delay any decision on whether to run for London mayor as an independent for at least a week.
The encounter between the two men - with Liberal Democrat candidate Susan Kramer and Tory Steve Norris looking on - came after Mr Livingstone urged Labour members to join him at a mass meeting in London on Monday.
'Total disaster'
In a letter to party members, he said he was trying to "bring the party leadership to its senses in the few weeks which remain before the elections".
Mr Livingstone has indicated that he will delay any decision on whether to run for London mayor as an independent for at least a week.
 Ken Livingstone: "Most difficult decision of my life"
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Earlier, Mr Dobson underlined the increasing bitterness between the rival Labour camps by saying Mr Livingstone would be a "total disaster" as London mayor.
But Tribune, the journal of Labour's left, has joined the calls for Mr Dobson to stand down, with its editor Mark Seddon, also a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, saying Mr Livingstone should lead Labour's mayoral campaign.
Meanwhile Glenda Jackson, also beaten in the party's mayoral race, has pledged to support Labour's candidate "whoever it may be".
A spokesman for Ms Jackson told BBC News Online: "She is not willing to enter into any kind of personal or negative campaign against any of the candidates. She'd like the party to unite and fight the Tories."
But Tribune, the journal of Labour's left, has joined the calls for Mr Dobson to stand down, with its editor Mark Seddon, also a member of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, saying Mr Livingstone should lead Labour's mayoral campaign.
Meanwhile Glenda Jackson, also beaten in the party's mayoral race, has pledged to support Labour's candidate "whoever it may be".
A spokesman for Ms Jackson told BBC News Online: "She is not willing to enter into any kind of personal or negative campaign against any of the candidates. She'd like the party to unite and fight the Tories."
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