By BBC News Online's Political Correspondent Nick Assinder

It was a long, bloody and damaging process - but the Tories have finally selected Steve Norris as their candidate to become London's first political mayor.

The ex-transport minister got a third chance at the job after first being defeated by Jeffrey Archer then - when the disgraced peer's former lies came back to haunt him - being ruled out as successor by a party selection panel.

And it is patently obvious that the Tory high command is holding its breath in the hope that there are no more skeletons in Mr Norris' closet that will come rattling out in the run up to the poll next May.

The former second-hand car dealer is well known in London and will pitch his appeal not just at natural Tory voters but also those who have become disillusioned with Labour over issues like public transport and the health service.

Like the Labour candidates he will be honour bound to demand more cash for the capital and promise to sort out its decaying transport network and homeless problem.

He will also hope to reap a reward from the continuing shambles that has surrounded the Labour selection process, which will not be completed until the end of the month.

False alibi

The controversial character has hit the tabloid headlines for his womanising more than once in recent years.

He has admitted to a string of mistresses but declared his colourful personal life is now behind him.

But his past behaviour nearly cost him the chance of being the Tory candidate.

He was easily beaten by Lord Archer in the first round of the contest, but was given a second chance when the peer was forced to admit he cooked up a false alibi during a libel case 13 years ago in which he was accused of sleeping with a prostitute.

Mr Norris then looked like a sure bet, but the Tories decided to re-run the entire procedure and a selection panel rejected him - probably because of his past antics.

It was left to party chairman Michael Ancram to put him back in the frame and, after another round of interviews, he won through to the final selection against the only other candidate Andrew "who he" Boff.

Bizarre twists

But the real contest, between him and the Labour candidate, has still yet to begin.

Tony Blair is tearing his hair out over the fact that, despite all his best efforts, the Livingstone bandwagon looks unstoppable, while Frank Dobson's appears to have been shunted into a siding.

It would be an extraordinary rebuff to the Labour leader if the selection panel finally decided to back Livigstone instead of the prime minister's chosen son, but this contest has been marked by one bizarre twist after another.

And despite Mr Livingstone's constant denials, many believe he could still be persuaded to stand as an independent if he fails to win the official nomination.

So the prospect of a Norris/Livingstone contest looks increasingly likely - and that would prove hugely entertaining.

In one corner will be the Tories, desperately keeping their fingers crossed that their man has committed no new indiscretions to grace the tabloid headlines.

And in the other corner will be the man Labour did everything short of physical assassination to stop.

The question that will remain unanswered for some time, however, is whether London has been served by any of these shenanigans.