THE Fine Gael aide at the centre of the highly embarrassing Papergate scandal has surprised party colleagues by announcing plans to run for the local elections.

The Herald can reveal that Tommy Morris, who is an advisor to Dublin Mid West TD Derek Keating, is seeking a place on the ticket in the Ballyfermot ward.

The Dail aide has kept a low profile since the Herald exposed him as the man at the centre of the Papergate scandal.

Gardai were called to investigate after Mr Morris was caught red-handed lifting dozens of copies of a Dublin free sheet in order to bury bad news about his boss.

CONTROVERSY

CCTV footage in May showed him scooping up piles of the Lucan Gazette from a newsagent and placing them in his car.

The edition of the paper in question was carrying a negative story about Deputy Keating, who chose not to sack Mr Morris despite the controversy.

A number of well-placed party sources confirmed to the Herald that he has formally put his name forward for next summer's elections.

But party sources said it was highly unlikely he will receive the support of the Fine Gael Head Office.

Efforts to contact Mr Morris were unsuccessful.

noconnor@herald.ie