The stage has been set for George Galloway to fight to replace Britain’s ousted first Muslim mayor if he fails to keep his seat in parliament.

The timetable for electing a replacement for Lutfur Rahman was published yesterday, leaving a week after the general election result for candidates to be nominated to the mayoral post.

Mr Galloway was given an enthusiastic welcome by local voters when he spoke out in praise of the beleaguered mayor at a public meeting last year.

The Respect party founder faces a bitter battle to prevent Labour retaking the seat of Bradford West, which he won in a by-election in 2012.

He said earlier this week that he would run to be London mayor if he loses in the general