Ken Livingstone, the former London Mayor, is being sidelined by Jeremy Corbyn's office and blocked from appearing on TV broadcasts amid fears he has become "uncontrollable".

Members of the Labour leader's office have directly intervened to stop Mr Livingstone appearing on high profile BBC political shows by calling producers and insisting he be removed.

It is also understood there are no plans to deploy Mr Livingstone in the London mayoral race despite his credentials or ask him to appear in Labour’s local election campaign.

Mr Livingstone, who has been close to Mr Corbyn for decades, is generally seen as one of his biggest backers and was a vocal advocate during the Labour leadership race.