Ken’s Campaign Manager Patrick Heneghan was overheard in HQ late last week lamenting “Ken’s own goals” that will be “difficult to come back from”. Heneghan was only brought in after his predecessor Hilary Perrin declared that Ken“cannot win” last October. He is said to have privately come to the same conclusion.

Sources report that despite a shrinking band of loyalists littering Tube stations this morning, the pressure in Red Ken’s camp is clearly getting to his staff. A member of the London Regional Team whispers that “Patrick was pushing for London MPs to do media this weekend to defend Ken on his tax problem but no one was willing to do it.” Walls have ears…

The “own goals” are hurting – tonight’s Standard reports:

“…polling – which took place over three days last week – also shows a dramatic slide in Mr Livingstone’s support after his argument with his Tory rival over tax in a radio station lift. Londoners interviewed before “liftgate” last Tuesday morning were split 50/50 between the two candidates. But those surveyed afterwards divided 60/40 in favour of Mr Johnson. Almost half of those polled, 48%, also said they are “less likely” to trust Mr Livingstone following claims he avoided tax by using a company for payment…”

No wonder morale is said to be “very low”.

Guido also understands that pleas have been made to Labour leader Ed Miliband to energetically intervene, however he’s already gone into damage limitation mode and is starting to try and put distance between himself and the prospect of defeat in London. It has fallen on deaf ears and there’s a running joke in Ken’s camp that there is a pro-Boris Labour HQ faction who want to hurt Ed…