Ken calls on Blair and Campbell for advice

Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell have been secretly helping out Ken Livingstone in his bid to clinch a third term as London's mayor. Along with New Labour pollster Philip Gould, the former prime minister and his spin doctor have reportedly offered Livingstone's campaign team advice on how to see off Tory candidate Boris Johnson, who is neck and neck with the current Mayor in the polls.

Campbell, who has talked to senior members of the Livingstone campaign, told the Guardian: "I amaze myself going round talking up Ken because I used to think he was dreadful. But you simply have to admit that he has done a really good job and he is one of the reasons why London is [in effect] the capital of the world."

Neither Blair or Campbell are officially involved in Labour's mayoral campaign but Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister tasked by Downing Street to manage the campaign, confirmed that she has "sought advice from people who were in place as part of the New Labour team in the past, Alastair Campbell and Philip Gould. They are the best in the business." Jowell adds that Gordon Brown is also giving day-to-day advice.

Blair has apparently described Livingtone as someone "who can transcend traditional politics in a way that few others can".