A POLICE investigation has been launched into the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election that was won by ‘disqualified’ candidate, Jonathon Seed. 
The Conservative Party’s candidate for the PCC role in Swindon and Wiltshire, was ‘disbarred’ from the election race the day before the result was announced, because of a drink driving offence from 1993.
Wiltshire Police has asked Thames Valley Police to lead an external, independent investigation in to matters surrounding the election.
They said, “We have asked another police force to lead on this work to ensure independent oversight and to remove any potential conflict of interest.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police added, “Following a request by Wiltshire Police, we have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election. As our enquiries are ongoing we will not be making further comment at this time.”
Jonathon Seed, who was also last week elected as a Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural, claims 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.
He also says that up until the evening of 6th May – the day of the PCC election – party officials had told him that his drink driving offence did not affect his eligibility to stand as a PCC candidate.
Guidance on the Electoral Commission’s website states that PCC candidates cannot stand for election if they have ever been convicted of an ‘imprisonable offence’. And candidates are asked to make a declaration on their nomination form that they believe that they are not disqualified from election as PCC.
However, Jonathon Seed has explained to Police Area Returning Officer for the Wiltshire and Swindon Police Area, Terence Herbert, that at the time of his offence in 1993, his conviction was not punishable by imprisonment.
Because of Jonathon Seed’s PCC win, it is likely that another election will need to be held, which could cost tax payers a reported £1.4million.
So far, he has dismissed calls for him to resign from his role as a Wiltshire Councillor.
