FORMER Conservative MP Andrew Pelling is to be a Labour candidate at next year's council elections, the Advertiser can reveal.
The former Croydon Central MP is to stand in the crucial ward of Waddon.
Mr Pelling was MP for Croydon Central from 2005 and 2010.
He stood as an independent against Conservative Gavin Barwell but lost his seat - finishing fourth behind his former party colleague and the Liberal Democrat candidate.
In March 2011, Mr Pelling joined Labour, ending months of speculation which began after he was seen at the party's national conference in Manchester.
Speaking to the Advertiser at the time, Mr Pelling said the defection was a protest against government cuts which had gone "too far, too fast".
He added: "I have much to learn about the Labour Party but I would like to help in anyway I can.
"I will be happy campaigning and stuffing a few envelopes."
Mr Pelling will stand as a Labour candidate nearly a decade after beating Geraint Davies by 75 votes to win Croydon Central for the Tories.
But his relationship with the party soured in 2007 when he was arrested following allegations he had assaulted his then wife Lucy.
He strenuously denied the accusations and no charges were brought against him.
However,the party whip was withdrawn and Pelling retreated from public life to seek treatment for depression.
He returned to politics in September 2008, but received just 3,239 votes after standing at 2010's general election as an independent.
Following the defeat Mr Pelling said he had no regrets about his "David and Goliath" battle.
Waddon is expected to be a key seat next May, on which control of the council could hinge.
Croydon Labour Party are expected announce Mr Pelling's involvement in the elections later on today.
