At a packed awards ceremony for the players and volunteer helpers from one of London’s top community sports projects, Ken Livingstone announced a quarter of a million grant to help London Tigers develop employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Speaking at the ceremony, Karen praised Mesbah Ahmed, who has led London Tigers through their phenomenal growth in recent years, and called upon Westminster Council and the Royal Parks to show their support by finding a permanent home for Westminster’s only semi-professional football team.

“London Tigers reach young people who no-one else can, offering not only sporting opportunities but an alternative to the grimmer aspects of life on the city streets. Yet inflexibility, high prices and inadequate backing have driven London Tigers to base their football project in Ealing. This is madness, and we must work together to turn it round”