UKIP Friends of Israel founder has mayoral candidacy hopes

The founder of UKIP Friends of Israel has thrown his hat into the ring to become his party’s candidate for London mayor.

Shneur Odze, an ex-Conservative councillor in Hackney, hopes to win the nomination ahead of next year’s election.

He has also put his name forward for the London Assembly. Odze, who ran for the European Parliament last year, said he would be the best choice for mayor because of his experience in the public sector including as a hospital governor as well as in the private sector.

He will find out at the party conference this month whether he has made the shortlist for the assembly.