Boris Johnson today faced growing calls to return to London from a family holiday to deal with the rioting crisis.

The Mayor has so far refused to cut short his break abroad and has said he is in constant touch with his team in London. It comes as Home Secretary, Theresa May, took the decision to fly back to Britain after hearing reports of the violence.

Mr Johnson was today accused of showing a "real lack of leadership" by not returning to London.

But sources close to the Mayor today insisted that he was in charge of the situation and was receiving briefings from his Deputy Mayor for Policing, Kit Malthouse, and Tim Godwin, the acting commissioner of the Met.

Green mayoral candidate Jenny Jones said: "Where is Boris Johnson? He should be out there in Tottenham finding out about what locals went through and showing them he cares. Being on the end of a phone is not enough. I cannot believe he is not here. It shows a real lack of leadership. Londoners will be angry, disappointed and will feel completely let down."

Mr Malthouse today said he was speaking to the Mayor "every hour or two" and insisted that Mr Johnson can deal with the situation from abroad as if "he was sitting in his office". He said: "There is a growing desire from the media to see Boris Johnson back in London but the truth is that modern communications mean that he is just as in touch with the people leading this operation as he would be if he was sitting in his office. He is not going to come back and allow these criminals to set the agenda."

Ex-mayor Ken Livingstone said: "I can't believe that after another night of riots, the Mayor still refuses to be here. When 7/7 happened, I was in Singapore as part of the London Olympic bid. I just knew I had to be back in London as quickly as possible."