Lib Dem candidate Siobhan Benita quits delayed contest for London mayor

The delayed election for London mayor claimed another casualty today when Liberal Democrat candidate Siobhan Benita quit the contest.

Benita is the second challenger to drop out after former Tory minister Rory Stewart stood down as an independent candidate.

The mayoral election, due to take place in May this year was postponed for 12 months because of coronavirus.

Benita said she was unable to commit to a further year of campaigning. She previously ran as an independent candidate in the 2012 election.

Acting Lib Dem leader and Kingston MP Sir Ed Davey said he was sorry to see her stand down.

The party will announce its plans to choose a new candidate at a later date.

Lib Dem candidates were in fourth place behind the Green Party in the 2012 and 2016 mayoral elections.

Recent opinion polls suggest current Labour mayor Sadiq Khan will comfortably win a second term in City Hall.