Mr Steven Norris, a former British transport minister, was struck off the Conservative Party's shortlist of candidates for London mayor in a sensational move on Saturday after preliminary interviews with the party's selection committee.
Mr Norris was clear favourite to win the candidacy after coming runner-up to Lord Archer in the initial selection process, and many believe his removal signals the end of the Tories' mayoral hopes.
Expressing disappointment at the move, he also warned of a grassroots backlash. "I think there will be a genuine backlash within the London party . . . The party is just terrified post-Archer, not thinking politically, not thinking about winning, thinking it would be better to lose with someone who is so low profile they had to be squeaky clean . . . They have forgotten the first rule of politics - that you win."
He went on to dismiss speculation that he might stand as an independent, insisting that he remains loyal to his party.
No official reason has been given for his removal from the shortlist, although it is believed aspects of his private life proved unacceptable in the aftermath of the Archer affair. It is also reported that a group of women from Mr Norris's old constituency, Epping Forest, lobbied the committee, objecting to his colourful past and arguing that he lacked appeal for women voters.
"I was always aware of a small group within the party and their efforts to keep me off the list," he said. "That is why I was not willing to put my name forward. I only did so after pressure from senior figures within the party. Sadly I have been proven right."
Mr Norris's departure marks another twist in the build-up to the election, which has increasingly taken on a circus feel. Lord Archer's fall from grace amid the "false alibi" scandal continues to share the British media spotlight with reports of Labour discord over Mr Ken Livingstone's campaign. Another Tory MP, Ms Teresa Gorman, was also blocked from standing last week amid rumours that she too had been deemed too controversial.
"We're not the only party to have made a bit of a Horlicks of it," said the Shadow Chancellor, Mr Francis Maude, yesterday. Election favourite Mr Livingstone was more upbeat about the news, however. "On behalf of all Labour candidates, I would like to congratulate the Tory selection committee and give them my heartfelt thanks for having eliminated the only Tory candidate we feared having to fight," he said.
It is widely perceived that Mr Norris was the only viable Conservative candidate as all the other runners are virtually unknown. The Tory shortlist now comprises the former London party chairman, Baroness Miller, the leader of Kensington-Chelsea Council, Baroness Hanham, the Internet tycoon Mr Mark Kotecha and Mr Andrew Boff.
It is predicted that Baroness Miller will win the candidacy, although she is also expected to lose the election.
On the Labour benches, meanwhile, the embattled Deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott, is set to announce today that he will step back from his handling of transport policy in order to concentrate on the next general election and issues to do with the urban and rural environment. He will cede the day-to-day running of the transport brief to his deputy, Lord Macdonald.
The move will be regarded by many as an admission that Mr Prescott has failed in his responsibilities, but in today's speech he is also expected to forestall any further criticism with the announcement of a 10-year transport programme and a multi-bil lion pound investment package.