Ninety minutes later than promised but the news from the West End Edition of today's London Evening Standard is not quite as dramatic as I was expecting...
A page 2 article by Paul Waugh states that LBC presenter Nick Ferrari has been given the green light by regulator OfCom to run for the Tory candidacy whilst continuing to present his radio show. Mr Ferrari is yet to formally declare, however. It is understood that LBC are reluctant for him to run but he would be the kind of big-hitter that the whole primary process was meant to attract. Speaking to ConservativeHome, Nick Boles welcomed the prospect of a Ferrari candidacy:
"Londoners need a strong alternative to Ken Livingstone. The best way for the Conservative Party to find out who can offer this is for there to be vigorous competition between people who are equally passionate about London but have different visions of its future. Nick Ferrari would add a great deal to this debate and I hope he runs."
The Evening Standard has joined Tim Hames and The Telegraph in calling for the deadline for entrants to be extended, however. See this paragraph from its leader >>>
7.15pm update...
BUT HE ISN'T RUNNING >>>
The West End Final Edition of the Standard reports that Ferrari will not now be submitting an application to join the Tory race for London Mayor. It appears that he couldn't agree a deal that would both satisfy LBC's interests and OfCom rules. The Standard reports that his breakfast programme would have had to have been regularly interrupted with contributions from other candidates. Mr Ferrari is said to be "scathing" about the Tory decision to hold the primary nearly two years before the mayoral election and may run as an independent in one year's time.
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