GEORGE Galloway told a television news channel he would run for Mayor of London if he failed to be re-elected as Bradford West MP, but later accused the channel of “a bit of mischief”.

Sky News ran a story yesterday in which Mr Galloway said on camera: “I won’t run for London Mayor if I am re-elected on May 7. If I am not re-elected I will run. It’s as clear an answer as I can possibly give up.”

The comments led to criticisms from the Labour Party that Mr Galloway was not focused on his constituency. Election rival Naz Shah, (Labour) claimed the comments were “political suicide”.

But shortly after the story was published Mr Galloway told the T&A: “I won’t be running for London Mayor because I’m going to win in Bradford West. All of my energies are devoted to doing that."

He added: , just as they have been devoted to my constituents over the last three years."This is just a bit of mischief from Sky.”