Jonathon Seed to stand trial in 2022

THE former Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate, Jonathon Seed, will stand trial next year for allegedly making a false declaration in his nomination papers. 

The Conservative Party’s candidate for the PCC role in Swindon and Wiltshire, who is also a Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural, won the election in May. However, he was barred from the role because of an historical drink driving offence – an offence that was not disclosed in his nomination papers. 

Jonathon Seed claimed that when he applied to be a PCC candidate, he believed that he was an eligible candidate and that he had declared his driving conviction to the Conservative Party.

A police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the election was led by Thames Valley Police, who were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Jonathon Seed with making a false declaration in his nomination papers. 

The local councillor appeared at Oxford Crown Court last week, and denied a single charge of making a false statement. A date for the trial was set for 18th July 2022. 

Last May, Jonathon Seed was also re-elected as Wiltshire councillor representing Melksham Without West & Rural. He was suspended from the Conservative group on Wiltshire Council in September. 

After the failed PCC election, another election was held in August, with Conservative candidate Philip Wilkinson taking up the post. The estimated cost of the election is over £1million.