Conservatives' election strategist dodges questions about Zac Goldsmith's campaign

The Conservatives' election strategist, Sir Lynton Crosby, dodged questions about Zac Goldsmith's London mayoral campaign as he received a knighthood from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Goldsmith's campaign, run by Sir Lynton's communications firm has come under fire from Labour and even from within the Tory Party for its negative campaigning and focus on opponent Sadiq Khan's Muslim heritage.

Mr Goldsmith's attempt to succeed Boris Johnson looked to have come unstuck as polls in recent days put Mr Khan well in the lead, with the results due late on Friday.

Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith and his wife Alice Credit: PA

Sir Lynton, who masterminded both of Mr Johnson's campaigns and was David Cameron's general election campaign director, refused to comment after receiving his knighthood for political service on whether Mr Goldsmith's campaign had been too negative.

Instead he said in a written statement: