Another of Boris's mates goes to prison for fraud...

The Tory candidate for Mayor of London - who wants to be in charge of law and order in the capital - saw another of his fraudster mates go to prison today...

Former newspaper tycoon Conrad Black started a six-and-a-half year prison term for multi-million dollar fraud.

Boris Johnson provided a character reference for his friend Mr Black and urged a light sentence.

It's not of course the first of Boris's fraudster mates to end up behind bars.

His old Eton school-chum Darius Guppy also served time at Her Majesty's pleasure for fraud.

As I posted last month, Boris offered to provide information to Darius Guppy for the purposes of having a man beaten up.

Yet despite his record in these matters, if he is elected Mayor of London, he intends taking over the running of the Metropolitan Police.

It's not a joke.

Tory Boris backs Conrad the Crook

No surprise to see Boris Johnson backing convicted crook and Tory peer Lord Conrad Black. The former media tycoon was told by a Judge today that he faces eight years in jail when he is sentenced for multi-million pound fraud.

Boris, Tory hopeful in next year's elections for London Mayor, apparently provided Lord Black with a character reference.

Labour MP Karen Buck has lodged an early day motion questioning Boris's judgement in backing someone convicted of stealing on such a massive scale.

You can read Karen's EDM HERE.

There's also this live blog with a blow by blow commentary as the sentencing drama unfolds...

Meanwhile, look out for Boris backing other jail-birds such as former Tory high-flier Jonathan Aitkin, former Tory Leader in Lincolnshire 'Honest' Jim Speechley...or maybe even Boris's predessessor as Tory candidate for London...

Yes, step forward the one and only 'Lord' Jeffrey Archer.

UPDATE: C4 News says the Chicago court has sentenced Black to six-and-a-half years in prison...while the BBC asks "Did he get off lightly?"