Norris: making the running?

Steve Norris is facing a nine-pronged challenge to secure the Tory nomination for the London mayoralty.

The former minister will have to see off two MPs, GLA members and openly-gay Tory Andrew Boff if he is to go head-to-head with Ken Livingstone.

Former model Nikki Page has also thrown her hat into the ring.

In total 10 candidates have entered the race and will be "vetted" by a committee of senior Tories on December 18.

In early January the shortlist will be narrowed down to between three and five candidates after a series of interviews are held.

Following a hustings meeting of London Tories on January 15, the list will be reduced to just two.

The two candidates, one of whom is likely to be Norris, will then go forward to a ballot of all Conservative members in the capital.

The final announcement of who will contest the election in May 2004 will be made in mid-February.

The full list of candidates is Bob Blackman, Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick, Brian Coleman, Roger Evans, Julian Malins QC, Steven Norris, Richard Ottaway MP, Nikki Page, Michael Tickner and John Wilkinson MP.