Johnson on London Mayor shortlist

Boris Johnson is one of four Conservative members to be shortlisted as a possible candidate for Mayor of London.

The Henley MP was among would-be candidates grilled by a party panel in the search for someone to stand up against Labour's Ken Livingstone next year.

The competitors will now take part in a primary election, in which anyone on the London electoral register may vote, whether they are members of the Conservative Party or not.

The other three contenders on the shortlist are IT consultant and former Hackney councillor Andrew Boff; businesswoman and Kensington & Chelsea councillor Victoria Borwick; and economist Warwick Lightfoot, also a Kensington & Chelsea councillor.

Mr Boff and Ms Borwick were shortlisted for the contest in 2004 but former minister Steve Norris was selected for the Conservative's on both occasions.

Conservative Party chairman Caroline Spelman said: "Last year David Cameron said he wanted to bring a new dimension to politics, and to change the way things were done."

Ms Spelman continued: "Now the people of London are going to be given the opportunity to choose the next Conservative candidate for Mayor of London. It's the first time a primary process has been used to select a candidate for Mayor of London - a first for London and a first for politics in Britain.

"I congratulate the candidates who have made it through to the primary process and wish them all the best over the coming months."

More than 40 applications for the mayoral candidacy were received. CVs were considered by a selection committee before around a dozen were chosen for interview, said a party spokeswoman.

Anyone wishing to vote can register from Monday, regardless of whether they are a member of the Conservatives or any other party.

A postal vote will end on September 26 and the chosen candidate will be named at the end of the month.

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