What a fine mess the election of Mrs Alison Hernandez to the Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Commissioner post has lumbered us with.

After weeks of sitting on the fence the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary announced they are going to investigate the Channel 4 allegations of criminal offences by those who signed off the Conservative’s election expenses at the 2015 General Election in the Camborne, Plymouth Devonport, North Cornwall and Torbay constituencies.

As Mrs Hernandez is one of the people who signed off the expenses the Devon & Cornwall Police are going to investigate my first reaction was should another force be called in to carry out the enquiries given Mrs Hernandez’s obvious conflict of interest.

All of the agents and candidates are innocent until proven guilty but only one is in a position of influence over the investigations and it is this conflict of interest that is in question here.

This whole embarrassing and potentially expensive circumstance raises several questions.

While D & C have confirmed they are investigating they have not, unlike other forces with seats to investigate, said they will apply for an extension of time. Why not?

Obviously Mrs Hernandez shouldn’t be involved in any decision on whether to apply for an extension of time to investigate these matters, and leaving it up to people she can hire and fire is no different.

If another force were brought in D & C would have to meet the costs of their investigations. If so Mrs Hernandez would control the budget. If the other force requests additional resource who will approve or reject the ask?

The more one considers this the more one has to conclude that the political independence of the Devon & Cornwall force has been compromised by this result and not only will she have to stand aside while the investigations take place, but another force ought to take over the investigations and apply for an extension of time.”