SEED: Two driving convictions for Wiltshire PCC candidate
Investigation of second motoring offence for former Crime Commissioner runner Jonathon Seed
Last updated 9th Jul 2021
It's reported that Jonathon Seed, the Conservative candidate who was barred from becoming Wiltshire's new Police and Crime Commissioner because of an historic driving offence, has a second conviction that would have also prevented him from taking up the role.
Mr. Seed won a combined total of 47% of the vote at the PCC elections back in May, but withdrew after details were revealed of his first conviction. He insisted he had declared a 30-year-old drink driving offence to the party and had initially been told that it did not disqualify him from standing but he was later advised this was not the case.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the election was launched by Thames Valley Police, which confirmed earlier this week that it had sought the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service.
INVESTIGATION
Now ITV News says it's learned that Mr Seed also had a second conviction, for failing to stop, that would also have prevented him from becoming a PCC.
Researchers discovered records showing Mr Seed was charged after he was caught driving with excess alcohol in the Wiltshire village of Netheravon in July 1992.
This is because Electoral Commission guidance states candidates for the post cannot stand for election if they have been convicted of an offence punishable with a prison sentence.
Reporters at ITV News searched newspaper archives, the National Archive at Kew and spoke to those who served with Mr Seed in the Army. An application for court records revealed the second conviction, which was not previously made public, as well as details about the first offence. At the time, Mr Seed was serving as a Major in the Royal Artillery.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Mr Seed said:
"Thames Valley Police have investigated all allegations which include the two historic driving convictions you have referred to and evidence of my declarations regarding these to the Conservative Party. I have fully cooperated with TVP as part of their investigation. Given the investigation is ongoing it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time."
TWO MOTORING CONVICTIONS
In March 1993, at a hearing before Kennet Magistrates' Court, Mr Seed pleaded guilty to drink driving and failing to stop following a collision.
He was fined £450 for the drink driving offence and £50 for the failure to stop. ITV News said it understood that nobody was hurt in the incident.
Thames Valley Police has said:
"Thames Valley Police are conducting an investigation in relation to the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon police and crime commissioner election. We can confirm that as part of this process the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service has been sought."
"The investigation is ongoing and we are not in a position to provide further comment at this time."
In May this year Jonathon Seed was publicly declared the winner of the Wiltshire PCC election but a new poll is scheduled for August 19 after he said he would not take up the post. He beat five other candidates at the election for the role, which involves holding Wiltshire Police to account, overseeing a budget and setting its priorities.
At the time Mr Seed withdrew, a spokeswoman for the Conservative Party said:
"Due to a historic driving offence that has come to light, the candidate has been disbarred from becoming the Police and Crime Commissioner."