Mr Livingstone said he was "proud and honoured" to take up the role, adding that the country would now get “advice that we promised".

When he was Mayor of London. Livingstone signed a deal to import cheap oil from the left wing country in exchange for planning, environmental and transport advice.

However the deal was cancelled by the new mayor Boris Johnson, who said he felt uncomfortable at the arrangement.



Speaking after meeting President Hugo Chavez, Mr Livingston said "President Chavez has asked that I continue to work with the city and its new mayors to use the experience of London to actually give form to his dream that this can be a first world city in a first world country.”

"I am proud and honoured to be in a position to be able to offer my advice to those candidates as they start the task of transforming this city for the benefit of all its people."

Agencies