Ken Livingstone is trailing Boris Johnson by six points in the race to become the next Mayor of London, according to a poll published on Tuesday.
A ComRes survey carried out for the Evening Standard, LBC and ITV showed that the incumbent Conservative mayor is favoured by 53% of Londoners compared to 47% who back his Labour rival.
The poll was published as Johnson launched his re-election campaign in Richmond, south London, where he branded Livingstone a "champagne-swilling Trotskyist bendy-bus aficionado".
The rivalry between the two men has become increasingly bitter in recent days. In one incident Johnson confronted Livingstone in a cramped lift and called him a "f*****g liar'. The Mayor was upset over allegations made by Livingstone that he avoided paying his fair share of tax.
ComRes surveyed people between 2-5 April, with the argument over the candidates' tax affairs erupting on the morning of 3 April.
Before the argument that began on-air during an LBC mayoral hustings the public were split 50-50 on who they wanted to see elected mayor.
But those asked after the row (10am on Tuesday) favoured Johnson 60% to 40%.
Johnson and Livingstone are trailed by Lib Dem Brian Paddick on 6% and the Green's Jenny Jones on 4%.