Thames Valley Police to investigate Wiltshire PCC election controversy
Wiltshire Police has asked another force to look into the matters
Last updated 11th May 2021
Conservative candidate Jonathon Seed won the Police and Crime Commissioner election on Monday night after gaining 100,003 first and second preference votes.
He's not eligible for the role though due to an historical driving conviction.
Electoral Commission guidelines states PCC candidates can't stand for election if they've been convicted of an imprisonable offence -even if the conviction is spent or they were never jailed.
Mr Seed withdrew the day before the count after the Conservative Party** 'disbarred'** him after the offence had_ **'come to light'._**
In a statement on Sunday Mr Seed insisted he declared his conviction to the party when he applied to become their candidate.
"To the best of my knowledge and belief when I applied for, and became the Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for the Conservative Party in Wiltshire and Swindon, I was an eligible candidate."
"I have declared my 30-year-old driving conviction to the party in my applications to be a Parliamentary candidate and more recently a PCC candidate."
He stressed "party officials confirmed my belief that my offence did not disqualify me."
INVESTIGATION
Wiltshire Police has now asked Thames Valley Police to lead an external, independent investigation into the matter.
"We have asked another police force to lead on this work to ensure independent oversight and to remove any potential conflict of interest."
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police added:
"Following a request by Wiltshire Police, we have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election. As our enquiries are ongoing we will not be making further comment at this time."
COST OF NEW ELECTION
Wiltshire Council which ran the election is seeking specialist legal advice as to the way forward.
Re-running the election would cost around ÂŁ1m which the local authority says would be covered by central government.
OPERATIONAL POLICING NOT AFFECTED
Meanwhile residents in Wiltshire are being reassured operational policing remains unaffected/
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is stressing residents won't notice any notices in which the county is policed.
Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive from the OPPC, said
""Residents should be assured that their policing service will be unaffected - all officers and staff will continue to work hard to protect residents and make sure that our communities remain safe."
"The strategic direction of Wiltshire Police, and its priorities, have already been set by the outgoing PCC and the current Police and Crime plan remains in place until the end of the financial year. Responsibility for implementing this through operational policing, and the day-to-day running of the Force, remains with the Chief Constable, Kier Pritchard.
OFFICER RECRUITMENT CONTINUES
On Friday Wiltshire Police announced it was launching a new recruitment drive which Mr Kilagallen says will not be affected.
"Equally as the precept has already been determined and the budget is in place, the planned officer recruitment and staffing will continue, alongside any OPCC commissioned or funded services - which also remain in place."
Mr Kilgallen confirmed that once current PCC Angus Macpherson, and his deputy Jerry Herbert, finish their term on Thursday (13th May ) he will oversee the OPCC until the next steps in any legal process are confirmed by Wiltshire Council.