Boris Johnson 'joins race for London Mayor'

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The flamboyant MP said friends had been urging him to put himself forward for the job.

Senior Tories are desperate to find a high-profile challenger and believe Mr Johnson's broad appeal gives him a chance in the 2008 election.

His frontbench career appears to have stalled after a series of gaffes.

Tory leader David Cameron is also thought to be against having too many fellow Old Etonians in his team.

Mr Johnson said: "Being mayor of London would be a fantastic job and anyone who loves London would want to consider the possibility very carefully. I want to stress that this idea did not come from David Cameron or from anyone in his office.

"But I have, of course, been very struck by the number of people who have been urging me to run."

He said he would consider his responsibility to his constituents in Henley before making a decision.

There is no constitutional barrier to an MP being a mayor at the same time.

A senior party source said: "It would require six months of pretty solid campaigning and he would have to make sure his local party is happy."

Mr Johnson is a regular performer on television and has hosted the quiz show Have I Got News For You for BBC2.