Tory candidate chosen for Henley

An Oxfordshire councillor has been selected by the Conservatives to fight the Henley by-election when London Mayor Boris Johnson steps down as MP.

John Howell, a former partner at City accountant Ernst and Young, was chosen from a shortlist of three.

Mr Howell said it was a "huge privilege" to have been selected for the Oxfordshire constituency.

New London mayor Boris Johnson is yet to formally stand down from his seat, which he has held since 2001.

A cabinet member on Oxfordshire County Council, Mr Howell was made an OBE in 2000.

The Tories said he would be a champion for the constituency.

"A successful businessman, he is leading the way in ensuring the county council is run more efficiently and in opposing the bulldozing of the green belt," a spokesman said.

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