The mayor denied his comments were racist

8 February: London mayor Ken Livingstone leaves a party for MP Chris Smith, where he is approached by Jewish Evening Standard reporter Oliver Finegold. Mr Livingstone tells the reporter he is "just like a concentration camp guard".

13 February: Culture secretary Tessa Jowell calls on Mr Livingstone to apologise. Brian Coleman, Tory chair of the London Assembly, tables a motion calling for the mayor to say sorry and withdraw his comments.

14 February: The Board of Deputies of British Jews asks the Standards Board of England to investigate the incident. The London Assembly votes for the mayor to withdraw his comments. The mayor refuses to apologise to the reporter.

15 February: The mayor admits making such a comment to a Jewish person was "offensive", but denies racism.

16 February: Prime Minister Tony Blair calls on the mayor to apologise. But he also says the mayor should not have to resign if he does not apologise. Transport Minister Tony McNulty echoes calls for an apology.

17 February: The Commission for Racial Equality refers the case to the Standards Board.

21 February: The Standards Board launches a formal investigation into whether the mayor's comments breached the Greater London Authority code of conduct. If he is found guilty of the charges, he could be barred from office for five years.