Any efforts to encourage voter registration are welcome. As we report today, the Muslims 4 Ken organisation has been active in this regard, showing support for London's democratic process. However, other aspects of the organisation are troubling - particularly in the light of the Mayor's longstanding connections with the Islamic cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who has defended suicide bombing and the persecution of homosexuals.
A key figure in Muslims 4 Ken, Anas Altikriti, played a part in organising Mr al-Qaradawi's visit to London - before the cleric was banned from this country under the UN charter. Even more disturbingly for Londoners who have not forgotten the 52 dead on 7 July, 2005, among those linked to Muslims 4 Ken is Salma Yaqoob, a Birmingham city councillor who tried to legitimise the bombings as "reprisal events". Also active in the organisation is Azzam Tamimi, who, as a supporter of Hamas, said he would be prepared to be a suicide bomber for Palestinians himself.
Mr Livingstone has always been wholehearted in his condemnation of the 7/7 atrocities. But his supporters will be disturbed to learn that an organisation linked to people with very different views is promising to deliver him the election. Via a website called Islamophobia Watch, efforts are also being made to discredit challenger Boris Johnson by highlighting the BNP's recommendation that he receive members' second-preference votes.
Mr Johnson has rejected BNP support. The Mayor must make it clear that while welcoming moderate Muslims' support, he rejects the backing of anyone who supports suicide bombing. If he does not do so, Londoners will judge him by his political friends.
