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London Mayor Odds: Ken finds himself in a spot of money trouble

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Bothersome newspaper finds two financial skeletons in Ken's closet

There are 23 days to go before "London decides", but the Evening Standard made up its mind long ago - it wants Ken out, and the sooner the better. Today is one of those days when Boris's strategy of keeping a low profile, avoiding gaffes and letting Ken's past sins devour him seems to be a good one, as the Standard has not one, but two stories designed to send a shiver down the spine of the Livingstone organisation. Perversely, Ken's price has moved in overnight to 2.76 on Betfair, while Boris's has lengthened slightly to 1.57.

Story One: Ken took a secret campaign donation then pretended he didn't know who it was from

Not exactly the sexiest story, but Ken's persecutor-in-chief Andrew Gilligan, claims that before the last election Ken received a GBP30,000 donation from a property developer who was looking to build an immense theme park in north west London. The cheque itself was handed over to an aide in a coffee shop and made out to the Labour Party, but Ken saw the cheque (he was, apparently, "delighted") and agreed to meet the donor for dinner after the election. The mayor has enormous power over planning decisions.

According to Journalist of the Year Gilligan "The revelation means the Mayor misled the public when he repeatedly denied he was aware of who had donated money to him in 2004."

Story Two: Ken doesn't want you to know that the Olympics are going to cost a fortune

Doesn't everyone already know this? Yes, but not by how much, according to Jack Lemley, the former chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, who has popped up in - guess where? - the Evening Standard to accuse Ken Livingstone of "suppressing" the real figure of GBP20 billion. The project is currently budgeted at GBP9.3 million, itself a devastating leap from the original sum of around GBP3 billion. The ODA disagrees with My Lemley's figures, and a spokesman obediently said "The Chairman believes the project can be delivered within budget." Mr Lemley said "I think Ken is capable of anything."

Meanwhile: Boris says, "I am the man to unite London"

Speaking yesterday at Operation Black Vote, an event supported by all the major parties to oppose the BNP, Boris was at his blandest, "The Mayor must represent the interests of all communities in London. The major issues such as crime, transport and housing affect all Londoners regardless of the community they belong to." Disappointingly for election watchers, this "keep it dull" strategy seems to be working.