It’s never nice to get it wrong but it’d be dishonest to deny our amusement at the expense of much larger media organisations who rushed out stories reporting rumours that Greg Dyke was to run as a either a Conservative or joint Conservative/LibDem candidate at next year’s Mayoral election.
He’s not.
Anyone interested in how the ‘story’ gathered pace and credibility might be interested in this Guardian article.
Meanwhile the Tories might like to put more effort into finding a credible runner than seeking to hide behind the joint backing of an independent.
If Mr Cameron’s Conservatives have nothing to offer Londoners they should just say so.
Update: Thursday’s press coverage of the affair isn’t good reading for Cameron:
“David Cameron was humiliated after his attempt to get former BBC chief Greg Dyke to stand for London mayor backfired.” The Daily Mail
“The Conservatives’ ongoing failure to find a candidate for the mayoralty of London took an embarrassing turn yesterday after it emerged that they approached Greg Dyke to stand – only for him to rebuff them publicly.” The Guardian
“David Cameron was humiliated after his attempt to get former BBC chief Greg Dyke to stand for London mayor backfired.” This is London
“David Cameron was left red-faced last night after TV chief Greg Dyke rejected plans to run as a candidate for London Mayor…in an embarrassment for Mr Cameron, he ruled himself out of the race last night after the Lib Dems refused to back the plan.“ The Sun
“A plot by David Cameron to persuade former BBC boss Greg Dyke to run for London mayor blew up in his face yesterday.” The MirrorÂ
“The Lib Dem rejection are a humiliating setback for the Conservative leader, who is struggling to find a candidate to take on Labour’s Ken Livingstone in the 2008 mayoral election.” Financial Times
