A RECENTLY acquitted former Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Wiltshire says he is angry and disappointed the Conservative Party undermined him during prosecution proceedings.
Councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural, Jonathon Seed, says his acquittal comes after a year of anxiety and stress, following a charge of making a false declaration in his nomination papers – a case he believes should never have been brought against him.
Despite winning the election in May 2021, he was barred from the role because of a historical drink driving offence that was not disclosed in his nomination papers. Jonathon Seed claims he believed he was an eligible candidate and had declared his driving convictions to the Conservative party.
He was suspended from the group in September, 2021, and left without financial support from the party, despite relevant insurance being in place to cover candidate’s legal expenses in such matters.
He said, “My acquittal ends over a year of great personal anxiety and stress following my election as Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon last year.
“This prosecution should never have been brought against me. I declared my previous driving convictions in writing several times to the Conservative Party.
“I am angry and disappointed by the actions of officials of the party during this sorry saga which included an attempt to undermine me in these proceedings by refusing access to the party insurance cover for my legal fees to which all candidates are eligible.”
Solicitors for Jonathon Seed, Shearman Bowen and Co said, “It was clear from the all the evidence gathered that a genuine mistake had been made by him as to his eligibility for the post of Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire – a mistake also made by another candidate in the same election against whom no action was taken.
“It is therefore unclear why the Crown Prosecution Service made the decision to prosecute him, particularly as the evidence relied upon to commence the prosecution was the very same evidence upon which the case has now been discontinued against him.
“The Conservative Party has relevant insurance in place to cover the legal expenses of that candidate. This cover was understood by our client to be mandatory and available to all Conservative candidates.”
Jonathon Seed added, “I accept that in my electoral case I made a genuine error of judgement which I now regret. I wish to make clear to both the CPS and the Conservative Party that I will be vigorously pursuing costs and expenses from them as a result of the position they have taken in this long and difficult affair.”
