SIR ELTON JOHN and his civil partner David Furnish are lending their support to Brian Paddick, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the London mayoral election.

One option being considered is for the celebrity couple to hold a fundraising dinner for Paddick, who was until recently Britain’s most senior openly gay police officer.

The endorsement is likely to increase Paddick’s appeal to London’s younger voters, as well as to some members of the gay community.

Paddick, 49, a former deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, is thought to have been introduced to Furnish, a film producer, several years ago through a mutual friend whom Paddick was dating.

He attended Furnish and John’s civil partnership ceremony in Windsor in 2005 and has donated money to the rock star’s Aids charity. When Paddick won the Lib Dem mayoral nomination last November, Furnish is believed to have texted the former police officer to offer his backing.

What kind of assistance the couple will give is being discussed but a fundraiser is one option mooted. The couple have a stellar contacts book. John is renowned for the lavish White Tie & Tiara Ball he throws each year to support his Aids foundation.

Paddick, who is expected to launch his manifesto next week, said: “I have met David and Elton on numerous occasions and they have always been very supportive of me personally. We are talking at the moment about how they might help my campaign.”

Paddick left the Met last year after clashing with the commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, over the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian who was shot dead by police after being mistaken for a terrorist.

A controversial figure during his time in the force, Paddick is best known for pioneering a light-touch approach to policing cannabis in Brixton, south London, which earned him the tabloid sobriquet “Commander Crackpot”.

Although Paddick will be actively courting the pink vote in May’s election, observers believe he is by no means guaranteed the full support of the gay community.

“I wouldn’t say that he would have any special appeal because most gay people will be voting on everyday issues, such as transport and taxes,” said Tony Grew, editor of Pink News. “Paddick is a political virgin.”

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