Norris back on Mayor shortlist

Steve Norris was re-instated on the shortlist of Tory Party hopefuls seeking to become London Mayor after a meeting of party chiefs overturned an earlier attempt to freeze him out.

Steve Norris was re-instated on the shortlist of Tory Party hopefuls seeking to become London Mayor after a meeting of party chiefs overturned an earlier attempt to freeze him out.

As a face-saver, the party increased the shortlist from four to six, but ensured that Mr Norris, a former transport minister was included. There will be a hustings meeting tomorrow night which will decide which two names should be put for a final decision by all London members of the party on who should fight next May's election.

The other candidate added to the list if Paul Lynch, who like the other four contenders is largely unknown. Leading party activists have said that the Tories must have a nationally-known figure as their candidate.

Mr Norris wasa dropped from the panel of contenders by a selection meeting last weekend which took the decision after reading a letter from Norris opponents outlining his colourful private life. He has admitted to affairs with at least five women in the past.

But a meeting of the Conservatives' Electoral College last night - representing all 74 London constituencies - passed the whole matter back to the Conservative Party Board.

Michael Ancram, the Tory Party chairman, said after today's meeting of the board that its members had considered the arguments made at the various meetings over the last three days and had decided to re-instate Mr Norris on the shortlist.

Candidates who will now appear at the hustings tomorrow evening are:

Andrew Boff, Lady Hanham, Mark Kotecha, Paul Lynch, Lady Miller and Steve Norris.

Party members will have the final say in a postal ballot.