he election for Wiltshire and Swindon police and crime commissioner might have to be re-run after the race was gained by a candidate who withdrew over a historic driving conviction.
Conservative Social gathering candidate Jonathon Seed acquired 40% of the vote within the first spherical and was elected after it went to a second poll, however will be unable to take up the put up.
In an announcement launched after the end result was declared, the election’s returning officer Terence Herbert stated he could be contemplating the following steps after taking acceptable authorized recommendation.
Mr Herbert stated: “The election has been referred to as and Jonathon Seed has been duly elected.
“With reference to the following steps, as the pinnacle of paid providers, I’m the suitable officer for making any declaration as to the Workplace of the Police and Crime Commissioner changing into vacant.
“Given this unprecedented state of affairs and given the circumstances, I can be in search of authorized recommendation on the following steps and at that time I will make any statements vital in regards to the place.
“If the put up of the PCC is vacant, if somebody is disqualified or doesn’t signal the declaration, then the put up can be outlined as vacant and an election can be referred to as.”
A Conservative Social gathering spokesperson stated Mr Seed, who had been hoping to take over from departing Conservative colleague Angus Macpherson, had been “disbarred” after a driving offence had “come to gentle”.
In an announcement issued on Sunday, Mr Seed – who gained a mixed whole of 47% of the vote – insisted he had declared his conviction to the social gathering in his software for the function.
Mr Seed stated: “To the most effective of my data and perception after I utilized for, and have become, the police and crime commissioner candidate for the Conservative Social gathering in Wiltshire and Swindon, I used to be an eligible candidate.
“I’ve declared my 30-year-old driving conviction to the social gathering in my purposes each to be a parliamentary candidate and extra lately a PCC candidate.
“Social gathering officers confirmed my perception that my offence didn’t disqualify me. I’ve now been suggested that this isn’t the case, and that I’m disqualified as a PCC candidate. I’ve due to this fact withdrawn.”
Mr Seed – who gained a complete of 100,003 votes – added he could be “bitterly disenchanted” to not take up the put up if he gained the election.
Electoral Fee steering says PCC candidates can not stand for election if they’ve been convicted of an offence punishable with a jail sentence.
Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster, who got here second after securing 17% of the vote within the first spherical and a mixed whole of 27%, stated: “The query that must be requested is when the Conservative Social gathering knew (Mr Seed) was ineligible to face and, if that was earlier than Thursday (polling day), why they didn’t say something, as a result of voters might have made an knowledgeable determination.
“It’s going to value the taxpayer £1.4 million to re-run the election, and there’ll clearly need to be an extra police inquiry and, relying on the result, it could be a case for the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Ms Webster, who gained a complete of 58,074 votes, added: “Jonathon Seed has handled Wiltshire and Swindon residents with whole contempt.
“Re-running this election would require residents to vote once more and deny our drained elections workers their well-deserved break. All of that’s an absolute shame.”
A spokesperson for the Workplace of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) stated: “Whereas this case is unprecedented, there may be laws in place for this eventuality and due course of can be adopted.
“Angus Macpherson stays as police and crime commissioner till Thursday.
“The OPCC can be working intently with Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council and the Police and Crime Panel, as soon as confirmed, to make sure any following authorized course of is dealt with as successfully and effectively as potential.”
Mr Seed – who confronted competitors from 5 different candidates for the PCC put up which includes holding Wiltshire Police to account, overseeing a price range and setting its priorities – was additionally re-elected as a councillor to Wiltshire Council for the Melksham With out West & Rural ward on Saturday.