Bus driver's son set to challenge a billionaire's son in London mayor election

Sadiq Khan surrounded by supporters at the Royal Festival Hall. Credit: PA.

A bus driver's son could challenge a billionaire's son in the contest to choose London's next mayor.

Tooting MP Sadiq Khan was selected as Labour's candidate today in a shock victory over the favourite, Dame Tessa Jowell.

Richmond MP Zac Goldsmith, whose father James was a billionaire businessman, is the front runner to be Conservative candidate.

Khan, whose father was a bus driver, was born on a Tooting council estate. He worked as a lawyer before becoming an MP in 2005.

Khan beat Jowell by almost 14,000 votes in the final round after other candidates including MPs Diane Abbott and David Lammy were eliminated.

Jowell, a former Olympics minister, was close to tears after the result. She told ITV news she was 'disapppointed'.

Khan is thought to have benefitted from the votes of thousands of new supporters attracted to Labour by the so-called 'Corbyn effect'.