GLEN OWEN: Meet Moz Hossain, the Tory who didn't own shoes until 16 but who ... trends now
Modern political careers are starting to resemble Monty Python's Four Yorkshiremen sketch, in which characters compete to describe the most poverty-stricken childhood: 'Cardboard box? You were lucky!'
The battle for London Mayor has a similar feel. On one side is the incumbent, Sadiq Khan, who hasn't been shy about mentioning his father was an immigrant bus driver.
On the other, hoping to face him in the final contest, is Mozammel 'Moz' Hossain – dubbed 'mystery Moz' because of his sudden arrival on the political front line.
Mr Hossain, one of three candidates on the Tory shortlist, makes Mr Khan seem like the product of privilege.
Growing up in a family of ten in a mud-floored shack in Bangladesh, he didn't own a pair of shoes until he was 16.
Mozammel 'Moz' Hossain – dubbed 'mystery Moz' because of his sudden arrival on the political front line - hopes to face Sadiq Khan in the final contest for London mayor next May
Moz Hossain's backers hope the mayor's unpopular extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), combined with their man's undoubted fluency and charisma, could produce a shock outcome at the election
Moz Hussain has pledged to scrap the Ulez expansion, which he says would damage public sector workers in particular - especially those who work unsociable hours
At 21, he moved to the UK to study law and is now the first Bangladesh-born criminal barrister to become a Queen's or King's Counsel.
'Even the Martians know that Sadiq Khan's father was a bus driver,' he tells The Mail on Sunday. 'But my dad didn't even see a bus in our village.'
If Mr Hossain beats Dan Korski and Susan Hall to the Tory nomination when it is announced on July 19, he will go head-to-head with Mr Khan in next May's election.
Mr Khan's commanding poll lead encouraged Tory officials to look at candidates who were untypically Conservative.
Celebrities were one option – Judge Rinder was considered – but supporters of Mr Hossain argued he could prove effective as a new face, untainted by the Tories' political troubles.
His bid was nearly derailed before it had begun when two of his campaign staff featured in a video leaked last week showing them breaching lockdown rules.
But Mr Hossain has decided to accept their apologies and move on: 'Like everybody else I was very disappointed.
'I suffered tragedy during Covid like other people. I've spoken to them and they are full of remorse. I like to give people second chances.'
Despite Mr Khan's lead, Mr Hossain's
