THE Mayor of London's father has said he wishes to stand for election in a Hampshire constituency.

Stanley Johnson, has applied to represent the Conservatives in Gosport.

His son, Boris Johnson, is one of the UK's most recognisable politicians.

The current Gosport MP, Sir Peter Viggers, has announced he is to stand down at the next General Election.

His decision came before the MPs' expenses scandal, when it was revealed he had spent £1,600 on a duck house for his Titchfield home.

Mr Johnson, 69, has also defended his age, saying there is no reason for him not to be in politics.

He said: "If you think of Winston Churchill who became prime minister for the first time at the age of 65, why am I old?," he said.

"If I look around Westminster today there is still some MPs who are a good deal older than I am.

"Something like 60% of the country is over 60 years old, so am I really too old to say I shouldn't be in politics? I don't think so."

He has represented east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the European Parliament, and has previously applied to stand for election in his son's former constituency of Henley.

However he was overlooked in favour of other candidates who lived nearer to Henley than Devon, where Mr Johnson lives.