Read on Twitter
Two points on this.
Firstly, it is well known that this is an appointment where ANY conviction for an imprisonable offence blocks you. And drink driving is certainly imprisonable. If he was advised that it wouldn’t be a problem, then the Tory staff are idiots. https://twitter.com/danob1986/status/1391428545797398531
Firstly, it is well known that this is an appointment where ANY conviction for an imprisonable offence blocks you. And drink driving is certainly imprisonable. If he was advised that it wouldn’t be a problem, then the Tory staff are idiots. https://twitter.com/danob1986/status/1391428545797398531
I’d also query why the candidate hadn’t read the rules, which are pretty clear.
Secondly, I also think that this rule is wrong. There has to be some bar, but it seems daft that someone could be blocked for a minor offence when they were young. Especially as a convicted sex offender was on the parliamentary ballot in Hartlepool.
And to add to the candidate’s woes. His conviction some 30 years ago may not be his last.
He will have signed his agreement to be nominated and that is a legal document, as the Electoral Commission advise.
He will have signed his agreement to be nominated and that is a legal document, as the Electoral Commission advise.
I don’t know how this gets resolved. There can’t be a deputy PCC as the likely winner won’t be able to take office and appoint one. If he does, he’d have to be suspended by the local Police and Crime Panel because there is going to have to be an investigation….
I also think that the Tory party should be liable for the costs of rerunning the election, which is the only way of resolving this I can see. The candidate may say he has now stood down, but I don’t think he legally can.
