London mayor: Nick Rogers pulls out of Tory candidate race

London Assembly member Nick Rogers has announced he is pulling out of the Conservative mayoral candidate race.

The former Met Police Special Constable and railway worker made his announcement on Twitter saying that he would be endorsing London Minister Paul Scully MP instead.

He wrote:”I’ve had great fun over the last few weeks talking about my ideas for the future of our amazing city.

“However, as the process has unfolded, it’s become clear that now is not my time.

“I am therefore withdrawing my name from contention and I’m delighted to say that I am endorsing Paul Scully to become the Conservative Party’s mayoral candidate.”

In his original pitch Rogers had pledged to reverse the ULEZ and hoped to broaden the Tory party’s appeal for Millenial Londoners and to restore the public’s trust in the Met Police.

The Conservative candidate nominations close on Wednesday May 24, with two or three candidates expected to be short-listed.

Party members in London will get the opportunity to vote for their preferred person, who will be confirmed on July 19.

Potential Conservative candidates who have declared their interest include Paul Scully MP, who made his announcement on Thursday and former City Hall Conservative leader Susan Hall.

Others include Assembly member Andrew Boff, Boris Johnson’s former advisor Samuel Kasumu and former special advisor to David Cameron, Daniel Korski.

Former Lewisham councillor, and close friend of murdered schoolboy Stephen Lawrence, Duwayne Brooks has also declared his interest.