Tory chariman denies Norris's 'conflict of interest'

Conservative chairman Liam Fox today denied that the appointment of Steve Norris as chairman of construction company Jarvis made him unfit to be the party’s candidate for London mayor.

There were allegations that Mr Norris would face an unacceptable conflict of interest in the role because of Jarvis’ involvement in the part-privatisation of the London Underground.

But Dr Fox told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Steve Norris was elected as the party candidate. It’s up to our party’s members who our candidate is. They have made a very clear decision.

“He only has a conflict of interest if he is actually elected and he has said he will stand down if that were to be the case.

“This is a temporary appointment until a new chairman is put in place. We mustn’t make judgments about the suitability of Jarvis as a company and it is unacceptable to do so.”