The Conservatives have complained to the Evening Standard about its “contemptible” front page coverage of the selection of Susan Hall as their candidate to be London mayor.

Deputy party chairman Nickie Aiken said the selection of the full-page picture of the London Assembly member was “clear mockery”, suggesting there was a “whiff of misogyny”.

The accompanying headline asked “And the winner is?”, with text suggesting that Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan is “odds-on to seal third victory”.

Tory party chairman Greg Hands backed Ms Aiken’s complaint to Standard editor Dylan Jones, saying the coverage was “extremely disappointing”.

In her letter shared on Twitter, Ms Aiken said: “I am writing to you to express my sincere disappointment in your front page today.

“Your choice of photo of Susan Hall is a clear mockery, and it is contemptible, especially as the first female candidate for London mayor from either of the two main parties.”

Ms Aiken said the councillor was “heavily encouraged” by the Standard photographer to pose with her arms in the air “despite expressing reluctance”.

She said other images were made available by the PA news agency, adding: “It therefore appears to me that this photograph was chosen with malicious intent.”

The MP called for a “prompt response and explanation” from the editor, who joined the paper last month having previously led the British GQ men’s lifestyle magazine.