Category Archives: Police (local)

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17 Jul 2017

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Accountability, DCC, Democracy, Police (local)

“Devon crime commissioner faces another no- confidence vote”

Interesting that she could be voted in by only 22.8% of the Devon and Cornwall electorate (and only just over half of them voted for her) yet she can only be removed by the Home Secretary – not even by the Panel that is supposed to oversee her work, yet cannot stop her appointing any deputy she wants.

Democracy – go whistle!

“Members of Devon County Council, meeting this next week, are to debate whether to ask the Home Secretary to remove Devon and Cornwall’s Police Commissioner from office.

Liberal Democrat councillor Alistair Dewhirst will propose a vote of no confidence in Alison Hernandez at the meeting of the full council on Thursday, July 20.

If approved by the Conservative-controlled council, this would be another major setback for Ms Hernandez, who ran for office as a Conservative. The county council is being asked to agree that Ms Hernandez is “unfit and unsuitable for her job”.

“Devon County Council is extremely alarmed at the proposal by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, to drastically reduce the number of PCSOs, the eyes and ears of the force,” Cllr Dewhirst will propose.”

At a recent consultation by South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, parish, town and borough councillors, district councillors and county councillors described the proposed changes as ‘dangerous’.

“Members are hearing reports from constituents of massive increases in low-level crime in our towns, villages and rural areas.”Additionally there is a general concern that the Police and Crime Commissioner is unfit and unsuitable for her job after making tactless comments about being ‘really interested’ in licensed firearm owners being allowed to act during terrorist incidents.

“We endorse Deputy Chief Constable Paul Netherton’s view that ‘Under no circumstances would we want members of the public to army themselves with firearms’.”

Cllr Dewhirst calls the vigilante idea “a crass and inadequate response to mounting concerns about police cuts”. He will say Ms Hernandez’s proposal to appoint a deputy Police and Crime Commissioner “is an appointment that is just not needed in these cash-strapped times”.

His motion says the Home Secretary should use “whatever powers may be available to remove Ms Hernandez from office allowing Devon and Cornwall Police to continue the fight against crime at all levels. and that Members of Devon County Council show their lack of support for the Police and Crime Commissioner by voting “No Confidence” in her office’.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has faced a barrage of opposition since her election last year.Last week Earlier this month Ms Hernandez put on hold plans to appoint a deputy after opposition from the panel that oversees her work.

The police and crime panel – made up of councillors and appointed members from across Devon and Cornwall – voted not to confirm Torbay councillor Mark Kingscote in the role.

Earlier, Ms Hernandez faced investigation over election expenses in her former role as agent for Torbay MP Kevin Foster and was only cleared shortly before the general election. Days after the election, she sparked controversy when she appeared to suggest members of the public might arm themselves against a terrorist incident.

She insisted later her remarks, on a BBC Radio Cornwall phone-in had been misinterpreted.Last month Plymouth City Council passed a vote of no confidence in Ms Hernandez for what it said were “stupid and dangerous comments”, and agreed to write to the Home Secretary asking her to the crime czar from office.

The office of the Police and Crime Commissioner declined to comment on Friday.”

Read more at http://www.devonlive.com/devon-crime-commissioner-faces-another-no-confidence-vote/story-30443664-detail/story.html

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12 Jul 2017

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Accountability, Police (local), Sleaze, Spin

Crime czar Alison Hernandez does U-turn and puts deputy plan “on hold”

“Crime czar Alison Hernandez has bowed to pressure and abandoned a plan to appoint a Tory colleague from her local council days as her second-in-command. The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner asked the police and crime panel to rubber stamp the appointment of fellow Conservative and Torbay councillor Mark Kingscote on Friday.

Ms Hernandez wanted the 55-year-old NHS support worker, who specialises in mental health, to help her with the workload on a £30,000 salary.

But, amid concerns over his qualifications for the role and controversy over a tweet referring to lesbians as “lesbos”, the the panel of councillors rejected the proposal.

Mr Kingscote’s tasteless tweet was covered here by EDW:
https://eastdevonwatch.org/2017/07/08/the-police-and-crime-panel-and-that-tweet/

The hearing heard how the attempted appointment “smacked of nepotism”.

After a private meeting, the panel concluded that Kingscote – a staunch Conservative who once chained himself to a set of railings to protest about the downfall of his hero, Margaret Thatcher, “does not meet minimum requirements of the post”.

The ruling capped a bruising week for Ms Hernandez, in which a council voted she should be removed from her role for making “stupid and dangerous” comments about guns.

Plymouth City Council’s Labour group tabled a vote of no confidence in Alison Hernandez, saying they are “extremely alarmed” at her stance on how to tackle terrorists.

Ms Hernandez was not bound by the panel’s decision, which was revealed to the commissioner in a letter received yesterday.

However, she risked making enemies of a group which is constituted to oversee her work, placing her a loggerheads for the final three years of her tenure.

In a statement released today, Ms Hernandez accepted the decision and said she “has put plans to appoint a deputy on hold”.

“I am disappointed that the Panel did not feel able to support my choice of deputy but I am willing to accept its recommendation,” she said. “I will now spend some time contemplating my next move and will await the appointment of a new chief executive before making a decision.”

“I would like to thank Mark Kingscote for being willing to consider taking on this challenge on behalf of the people of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and I believe he would have served the people of our counties and islands well.”

Read Alison Hernandez’s letter to the panel:

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Confirmation Hearing Report

Thank you for your letter of 11th July following the confirmation hearing on 7th July.

I am disappointed that the Panel does not feel able to support my choice of deputy. However, while I feel there are some misunderstandings around both the role, and the process of appointment, I reluctantly accept the recommendation and will not be appointing Mark Kingscote as my deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Panel represents our communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of
Scilly and I absolutely respect the views of its members but, if you will allow me, I think it would be helpful to respond to the points raised about Mark Kingscote’s suitability.

In relation to estates, I require someone who can assist with the strategic overview of the planning and investment part of the process not the day to day maintenance. So while I can see that you may doubt his track record in estate management, I did feel Mark had the necessary experience in estate development as he has successfully steered multi-million pound planning applications.

On the second point Mark has apologised for his poor choice of words while using Twitter. Please be assured he did not mean to insult, offend or be discriminatory and he is sad that he was unable to convince the Panel of this.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I must address your point about working councillors. I am determined to encourage more working people to become elected councillors so that our communities can be better represented. Elected roles cannot only be for the retired, unemployed or wealthy. I myself worked after being elected and I strongly believe that Mark would have been able to serve both Torbay residents and the wider population of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly well.

I will now spend some time contemplating my next move and will await the
appointment of a new chief executive before making a decision.

I look forward to seeing you in August at confirmation hearings for both the new Treasurer and CEO. Thank you for finding the time in your diary to enable this to happen outside of the normal schedule of meetings.

Yours sincerely
Alison Hernandez
Police and Crime Commissioner
Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly”

http://www.devonlive.com/crime-czar-alison-hernandez-performs-u-turn-on-unfit-deputy/story-30436982-detail/story.html

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11 Jul 2017

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Police (local)

Will Police and Crime Commissioner Hernandez sink or swim? Plymouth councillor conflicts muddy the water!

“The outspoken Conservative faced three separate votes which could prove key to her survival – one by councillors in Plymouth on Monday and then two on Friday at the police and crime panel which oversees her role.

She lost two and won one but the scoreline could so easilqy have been reversed if not for a series of key absences at the first of two meetings.

A motion of no-confidence pushed through by the Labour group at Plymouth City Council last Monday was lost by the slenderest of margins, creating embarrassing headlines for the the commissioner.

But councils are not supposed to lose politically motivated votes against their bitter opponents, so what went wrong?

A detailed look at the meeting shows that the vote could have been won if the ruling Tories had enough bodies in the city’s Council House meeting room.

Unfortunately, three councillors – two Tories and one from Labour – excused themselves before the debate, which centred around whether Ms Hernandez’s comments about arming citizens meant she was a danger to the public and should resign.

And then, just before the key vote, leader Ian Bowyer left his seat and exited the chamber, consigning his party colleague to an inevitable defeat.

Labour pushed through the motion by a single vote, forcing the chief executive to write to the Home Secretary asking for the removal of a Conservative police and crime commissioner.

Hardly the result the party was after at a time when they are under such immense pressure nationally.

Ms Hernandez has been embroiled in controversy ever since her appointment to the post last year.

In that time she has been the subject of an investigation by the police, admitted to smoking cannabis and has a penchant for gangsta rappers N.W.A – who sang “F*** da police” on their debut album. She was criticised last October for taking a selfie with the fire chief as emergency workers battled to save the Royal Clarence Hotel behind her.

Following the no-confidence vote, she dismissed the tactic as politicking and declared the vote unrepresentative of the “wider Plymouth community”.

But why did the Tories fail to rally enough troops to defend one of their highest-profile politicians in the county from a bruising defeat at a council it controls, albeit in coalition with UKIP?

Was there, as some have suggested, a lack of appetite among the group to come out to bat for Hernandez after comments they may have felt overstepped the mark?

Or did the vote simply represent a shrewd political move by Labour to push through a damaging motion at precisely the worst moment, four days before she faced the police and crime panel?

The full council meeting, which began at 2pm and ran for more than five hours, came to a bad-tempered ending with six highly critical motions from the Labour group, led by former leader Tudor Evans.

The Conservatives – who hold 27 seats to Labour’s 27 on the council and can count on three more from UKIP – used their superior numbers to fend off the first five votes, around education, traffic chaos, school meals, funding cuts and a “war” on small business.

But as the final motion of no-confidence was tabled around 6.45pm, Tory cabinet members Ian Darcy and Terri Beer, all excused themselves, declaring a prejudicial interest as employees of Devon and Cornwall police.

Labour’s Bill Stevens also exited the meeting as a member of police staff.

This still left at least a hung chamber until Tory leader Ian Bowyer left at 7.15pm.

Spotting the numerical advantage, Labour, moved a closure motion to go straight to the vote, which was carried almost unanimously.

The vote was carried by 26 to 25, despite a vote cast by the Consuervative Lord Mayor, who normally only votes in the event of a tie, and a letter was sent to the chairman of the police and crime panel, requesting he table a second vote of no confidence.

Ms Hernandez survived the second vote on Friday but the council motion added to mounting pressure, and her proposed deputy, Mark Kingscote, was not endorsed by the panel amid concern he was not fit for the role.

This leaves her a tough decision this week: accept the panel view and find a fresh candidate or plough on and potentially alienate the councillors appointed to oversee the role.

Labour made much of the fact that none of the Tories had spoken out specifically in defence of their colleague – instead they attacked the Opposition councillors for playing politics.

The suggestion was that she had few friends among her own party ranks so Cllr Bowyer was contacted by Devon Live to find out.

He said there had been nothing sinister or underhand in his disappearance – that he had simply had to leave to catch a train to the Local Government Association Annual Conference, which began in Birmingham the following day.

“I couldn’t be in two places at once,” he added.

The leader would not confirm whether he had been contacted by Ms Hernandez ahead of the vote or whether the support of the group had been canvassed.

“That is a private conversation if it occurred,” he added.

“I caught the last train to get me there that night – I stayed as long as I could – left at 7.15pm, the train was at 7.44pm.”

One of the Labour councilors in the meeting, Phillipa Davey, thinks there must have been a voting order in place – a so-called whip – otherwise the Lord Mayor, Wendy Foster, would not have voted.

She thinks the vote was lost simply due to poor organisation among the Tories, who could have re-scheduled the Hernandez vote to appear earlier in the meeting.

“I don’t think it was a case of them not being bothered about defending her, it was just rubbish organisation and quite embarrassing for them,” she added.

“If they had not been that bothered then the Lord Mayor would not have voted – that shows there must have been a whip.

“If it had been me and the Labour group and we had wanted to make sure we won a vote we would have made sure we were organised and ready to do that.

“It wasn’t even the first motion, it was one of the last – if they really wanted to defend it they could easily have just moved it up the order.”

http://www.devonlive.com/crime-czar-suffers-council-defeat-because-tory-leader-missed-vote/story-30433966-detail/story.html

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9 Jul 2017

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Accountability, Police (local)

“Powerful American gun lobby comes out in favour of Devon crime czar Alison Hernandez”

Fame or infamy?

“America’s powerful gun lobby group the National Rifle Association (NRA) has come out with all guns blazing in support of Devon and Cornwall Police Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

The NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action has accussed Plymouth City Council’s recent vote of no confidence in Ms Hernandez as ‘a sad commentary on UK firearm politics’ and says the Labour-run council ‘gave their finest impression of George Orwell’s Thinkpol’.

The council has called on Ms Hernandez to resign following ‘stupid and dangerous’ comments during a local BBC radio interview on whether armed citizens should take on terrorists and a vote of no confidence was carried by 26 votes to 25 after the Labour group said they were ‘extremely alarmed’ at her stance.

But the NRA supports Ms Hernandez in a series of articles online. One said: “Every once in a great while, an independent-minded United Kingdom official is overcome with a bout of common sense on firearms..”

The NRA lobbies for gun rights and the ‘right to bear arms’ in the States. The NRA is now among the most powerful special interest lobby groups in the US, with a $250million budget to influence Congress on gun policy and funds things such as gun ranges.

The NRA has also come out in favour of Nigel Farage’s stance on UK citizens being allowed to carry handguns.

However, newly elected Plymouth Labour MP Luke Pollard says the endorsement only “makes things worse” for the commissioner.

In that time she has been the subject of an investigation by the police, admitted to smoking cannabis and has a penchant for gangsta rappers N.W.A – who sang “F*** da police” on their debut album. She was criticised last October for taking a selfie with the fire chief as emergency workers battled to save the Royal Clarence Hotel behind her.

Last month she was accused of nepotism after attempting to appoint an old pal and fellow Tory from her Torbay council days as her deputy commissioner.

But it was her comments concerning whether armed citizens could take on terrorists, made during a summer of horrific attacks, which caused her the most damage.

Senior officers at her own police force disowned the suggestion that licensed firearm users could be part of the “solution” to combatting armed attackers.

This week Plymouth City Council lost patience with the gaffe-prone politician and called for her to resign.”

http://www.devonlive.com/powerful-american-gun-lobby-comes-out-in-favour-of-devon-police-boss-alison-hernandez/story-30431044-detail/story.html

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8 Jul 2017

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Accountability, Police (local)

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The Police and Crime Panel and that tweet …

During his speech to the Police and Crime Panel, Mark Kingscote – nominated by his pal Alison Hernandez for the post as her deputy – assured councillors he would be a neutral force for good if given the job and would be fair and inclusive. The full broadcast of the meeting is here:

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2017/07/07/full-audio-and-video-of-police-and-crime-panel-meeting-that-refused-hernandez-deputy/

Councillor Tom Wright then alluded to a tweet by Mr Kingscote – which he said was about lesbians – and which Mr Wright apparently found offensive. Mr Kingscote said the tweet had been a mistake and he apologised for it, saying he would use different grammar in future.

Owl was intrigued by the comments of both Mr Wright and Mr Kingscote and did some searching. The offending tweet would appear to be in the middle of this interesting archive of (some of?/all of?) Mr Kingscote’s tweets which can be found here (in the pubic domain):

http://tweettunnel.com/KingscoteMark

Should this webpage not be available in future, Owl has made a copy of it.

It is heartening to see that in his earliest tweet, Mr Kingscote praises his close council colleague Ms Hernandez for her nursing skills – an otherwise unknown attribute of our Police and Crime Commissioner.

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7 Jul 2017

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Hernandez survives – for now

Owl can find no reference to this other than BBC News. Might her survival owe itself to a majority of Conservative councillors on the Police and Crime Panel?

“A police chief who suggested gun owners might be able to act as armed civilians in a terror attack, has survived a vote of no confidence.

Devon and Cornwall Police warned armed civilians should not tackle terrorists after the comments made by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez on a BBC phone-in in June.

The vote, held by the Police and Crime Panel, the body which scrutinises her, was defeated by eight to two.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-40534150

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7 Jul 2017

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What next for Hernandez and her pal?

“The Police and Crime Panel for Devon and Cornwall has just recommended refusal to the proposal to appoint the Police and Crime Commissioner’s favoured candidate for the post of deputy. The rules surrounding appointment panels are relatively new and untested, so what happens now?

The good news for Ms Hernandez is that the panel did not choose to, or did not have the grounds, to veto the appointment of Mark Kingscote to the post of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon & Cornwall, which it can do under certain circumstances. The guidance for panels is only to refuse rarely. There are now four working days for all parties to consider their next moves.

According to the Local Government Association’s guidance on confirmation hearings the PCC and her candidate then have three options:

She can continue with the appointment, but such a move would put her at loggerheads with the panel and possibly lead to public criticism when the recommendation to refuse was officially made public. In this case PCCs are advised to issue a statement focussing on why they thought the candidate did in fact meet the minimum standards for the post.

The candidate decides to withdraw. If this happens the formal recommendation to refuse is published but no further information is given.

The PCC decides not to appoint. The recommendation to refuse is published alongside a statement by the PCC setting out a timetable and process to make a new appointment.

http://www.devonlive.com/the-police-and-crime-commissioner-deputy-refusal-what-happens-next/story-30429007-detail/story.html

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7 Jul 2017

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Full audio and video of Police and Crime Panel meeting that refused Hernandez deputy

The full audio and video of the webcast where Hernandez is told that they don’t want her deputy is here but – unfortunately they can inly RECOMMEND that she does not appoint her pal but there is NOTHING they can do to stop her doing so:

http://www.devonlive.com/watch-the-moment-a-panel-rejects-devon-and-cornwall-crime-czar-s-deputy/story-30428868-detail/story.html

A few highlights with approximate timings (have to refer to some councillors by first names as this is what is used in video and labels not readable)

First – awful chairing! Meandering and did not keep councillors to agenda – at the middle point two rural councillors used the opportunity to talk about their wishes for rural policing, which had nothing at all to do with the agenda item – some 10 minutes wasted there with no intervention from chair.

Second: At around 46 minutes, the panel went into closed session and 10 minutes later reconvened to say they were not recommending her pal’s appointment and would send a letter to her on the next working day explaining why. This is totally undemocratic and non-transparent and to be deplored. She and they will almost certainly hide behind “personal information” not to reveal the contents of the letter.

Other highlights:

Hernandez wants a deputy because other areas, particularly Dorset has one and she needs to be at Westminster a lot.
9 min 50

Kingscote’s personal speech was embarrassing – any junior PR person could have written it and he stumbled over many parts of it. Hernandez takes good care of him, pouring him water and being very solicitous of him. Used the word “passion” an awful lot!

Tom Wright (East Devon) brings up am embarrassing tweet that Kingscote is said to have made on Twitter which, according to Express and Echo report, was about lesbians. Kingscote says it was wrong, apologises and says he will use “appropriate grammar” in future.
14mins approx

Cornwall councillor Chris ?Batters finally deals with the elephant in the room: says the appointment smacks of nepotism – power concentrated in one small corner of Torbay. Says Hernandez is there to “sell” Kingscote to them. Commissioner responds that they are not related, taking the word ‘nepotism’ literally.

Hernandez says she considered 2 other people, both councillors, one Tory, one Lib Dem but Kingscote was best.
Approx 38 min 20

After the break for private session, Croad (Chairman) says panel does not accept he is qualified for the job.

Next move: Hernandez – over to you – accept PCP recommendation or employ your pal.

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7 Jul 2017

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Police (local)

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No deputy for Police and Crime Commissioner

Owl says: now all we need now is no Police and Crime Commissioner Hernandez – her total incompetence coupled with her self-serving attitude to the job should mean that she no longer enjoys the confidence of the Police and Crime Panel.

But, hey, Theresa May is in the same position and she’s still around – though Hernandez doesn’t have £1.5 billion available to buy her way out of the mess she has got herself, and us, into!

Come on Police and Crime Panel – do the right thing and let her go. It’s kinder for us all – particularly the police.

“The Police and Crime Panel has refused to appoint a deputy police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

The panel said Mark Kingscote “does not meet minimum requirements of the post”.

No other reasons were given but the decision is a blow to Alison Hernandez, the PCC who proposed Mr Kingscote.”

Source: BBC Devon website

More here:
http://www.devonlive.com/panel-refuses-deputy-police-and-crime-commissioner-for-devon/story-30428805-detail/story.html

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4 Jul 2017

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Accountability, Police (local)

“Who is Alison Hernandez? The ex-cannabis smoker and gangsta rap fan who became police commissioner?”

When your local newspaper runs articles like this, you know that there is a serious problem. It really is time for this incompetent and rather witless person to be replaced.

“Devon and Cornwall Police Commissioner Alison Hernandez has been embroiled in controversy ever since her appointment to the post last year.

She caused consternation yesterday when she said members of the public with guns could form ‘some of our solution’ to terrorism in isolated rural areas.

The post of Police Commissioner is in itself controversial, but current incumbent Ms Hernandez has increased scrutiny of the role after a string of controversies.

She has been the subject of an investigation by the police, admitted to smoking cannabis and has a penchant for gangsta rappers N.W.A – who sang ‘F*** da police’ on their debut album, which launched the careers of Dr Dre and Eazy-E and Ice Cube.

The police investigation into allegations she failed to properly declare expenses was referred to criminal investigators and the CPS.

She was accused of failing to properly declare election expenses when employed as the election agent for Conservative MP Kevin Foster during the 2015 General Election.

However, the CPS decided to take no further action against Ms Hernandez, or former Plymouth Tory MP Oliver Colvile, or Cornwall Conservatives George Eustice and Scott Mann

The Tory police and crime commissioner (PCC) has also revealed she was a one-time “fly girl” and a fan of California rap outfit NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) – who were branded “the world’s most dangerous group”.

The group’s debut album in 1988, Straight Outta Compton, began with the track “F**k tha Police”, a protest against police brutality and racial profiling.

Ms Hernandez, who grew up in Torbay – one of the most deprived areas in the South West – told twitter followers she used to listen to Public Enemy, famous for the track Fight the Power, made famous in the Spike Lee movie Do the Right Thing.

Ms Hernandez also raised eyebrows when she admitted smoking cannabis, but said she doesn’t want to see the drug legalised.

The police and crime commissioner’s statement came in response to questions about legalising the drug.

She also faced fierce critcism for apparently taking selfies at the scene of a devastating fire in Exeter city centre.

Alison Hernandez did not post, the images on social media – but an MP has called for her to apologise.

Exeter Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: “I’m not sure this is appropriate behaviour for our Police and Crime Commissioner.

And, in April of this year, it was revealed she was considering appointing a deputy – at cost to the taxpayer estimated to be around £50,000.”

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/who-is-alison-hernandez-the-ex-cannabis-smoker-and-gangsta-rap-fan-who-became-police-commissioner/story-30387275-detail/story.html

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4 Jul 2017

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Plymouth City Council passes ‘no confidence’ vote on Hernandez

“Plymouth City Council has narrowly passed a motion of no confidence in Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

The motion, passed by 26 to 25, was proposed by Labour councillor Chris Penberthys.

It said: “Plymouth City Council is extremely alarmed at the recent comments from Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez about licensed firearm owners being allowed to act during terrorist incidents. Ms Hernandez’s statement that she would “really be interested” in the suggestion shows she is unfit and unsuitable for office.”

Source: BBC DevonLive Website 08.02

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27 Jun 2017

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Hernandez friend, now Deputy PCC, revers Mrs Thatcher, adores the Queen and calls Mrs May “Mother Theresa May”!

The Chief Constable must be loving this!

“Devon’s newly revealed deputy police and crime commissioner is a “staunch” Conservative who once chained himself to a set of railings to protest about the downfall of his hero, Margaret Thatcher.

Mark Kingscote has now been officially revealed by crime czar Alison Hernandez as her second-in-command, a role which will come with an estimated salary of £30,000.

The 55-year-old NHS mental health support worker is a close ally of Ms Hernandez from the days the pair were jointly-elected Torbay councillors for Shiphay with the Willows.

Ms Hernandez faced criticism during her election campaign that she would politicise the role, including from predecessor Tony Hogg, who quit the Tories in protest at the end of his office.

However, she has opted to recruit a fellow party member from her home town, prizing his track record in mental health and diversity in an appointment which has been criticised as “smacking of nepotism”.

A brief glance at Twitter shows her deputy is a loyal Conservative who reveres Mrs Thatcher, adores the Queen and even refers to the current prime minister as “Mother Theresa” May.

Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote once chained himself to railings in protest at Tory plot to depose Margaret Thatcher

Devon’s newly revealed deputy police and crime commissioner is a “staunch” Conservative who once chained himself to a set of railings to protest about the downfall of his hero, Margaret Thatcher.

Mark Kingscote has now been officially revealed by crime czar Alison Hernandez as her second-in-command, a role which will come with an estimated salary of £30,000.

The 55-year-old NHS mental health support worker is a close ally of Ms Hernandez from the days the pair were jointly-elected Torbay councillors for Shiphay with the Willows.

Ms Hernandez faced criticism during her election campaign that she would politicise the role, including from predecessor Tony Hogg, who quit the Tories in protest at the end of his office.

However, she has opted to recruit a fellow party member from her home town, prizing his track record in mental health and diversity in an appointment which has been criticised as “smacking of nepotism”.

A brief glance at Twitter shows her deputy is a loyal Conservative who reveres Mrs Thatcher, adores the Queen and even refers to the current prime minister as “Mother Theresa” May.

Councillor Kingscote insists his views do not prevent him from looking and thinking “outside the box” and he will not bring party politics into policing.

But he does nothing to conceal or play down his deep admiration for Mrs Thatcher and her “special aura”.

He staked out Brighton’s Grand Hotel in 1987, the first time the Tories had stayed there since the IRA bomb of 1984 which nearly killed the then prime minister, bearing a bouquet of flowers.

Three years later, he was so furious at Michael Heseltine for launching a leadership challenge that he chained himself to the railings outside the Tory MP’s Mayfair home.

“I am more of a Thatcherite than a Conservative – she was a great inspiration to me,” he told Devon Live.

“That is based on the free market, deregulation and giving people the tools to get on with their own life. I believe in giving people a hand up not a hand-out and give people a chance to make something of their life.

“People have short memories but I remember how sad and desperate Britain was before she came to power: the three-day week, public sector strikes…Britain was on its knees.”

Mr Kingscote said he received many hundreds of letters of support from around the country for his demonstration, which saw him moved on by police.

“I went to Michael Heseltine’s house and we chained ourselves to the railings – the police came along and said, ‘Behave yourselves and get on your way’.

“Later we went to Downing Street and were greeted by rapturous applause.”

Mr Kingscote also reveals how his floral tribute to the so-called Iron Lady also began on a whim in his hometown, Torbay.

“I met Mrs Thatcher on many occasions, the most memorable being the Tory party conference of 1987,” he recalled.

“I said to my friend Vera ‘its Margaret’s birthday tomorrow I want to get her some flowers’.

“We went to Brighton and bumped into Michael Heseltine around 7am. He said, ‘You had better check with the heavy mob’ as security was tight.

“It was all cordoned off so we went upstairs and waited and waited while she was having a cabinet meeting.

“All of a sudden the door opened and I saw the outline and said ‘it’s Maggie’ and she said ‘you had better come in’ – we said we had come to wish her happy birthday to show how much we loved her.

She looked at the flowers and said ‘oh, red, white and blue – the colours of freedom and democracy in our country. May we never betray these colours’.

“We were in there for 15 to 20 minutes. It is amazing when you think how powerful she was in the 80s – there were ambassadors and heads of state waiting – she didn’t have to do that.

“There are only two people who have ever made me feel nervous in their presence: one was Maggie – she had a huge aura about her – and the other was the Queen.

“The dress, the hair, the make-up – everything about her was powerful and she used it all to maximum effect.”

The post of deputy police and crime commissioner was first raised on the campaign trail by Ms Hernandez, who toyed with the idea of campaigning for office alongside a running mate.

She eventually stood alone on the Tory ticket and was elected in her own right.

But last month, Devon Live revealed that she was considering appointing Mr Kingscote to share the workload, including increased scrutiny.

On Friday, he was formally announced before being presented to a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel next week.

His knowledge of mental health during 25 years in the NHS, his experience as Torbay’s planning committee, and a councillor since 2000, persuaded Ms Hernandez to offer him the role.

Cllr Kingscote is passionate about promoting diversity and this area will be key to Ms Hernandez’s plans to include marginalised communities in policing decisions.

He says, as a gay man, he has never experienced any prejudice, but will “speak up on behalf” of those whose views may not receive sufficient attention.

“I have never in my life experienced any prejudice but that might just be because of the person I am,” he added.

“In this day and age sexuality is not really relevant. I am also a committed member of the Church of England but you have got to have a broad outlook on life.

“You don’t have to be part of a particular group to want the best for them.”

He says his “staunch” Conservatism will be channelled into getting value for money in policing for taxpayers in Devon and Cornwall.

Asked about the recent row over Ms Hernandez’s comments over armed citizens, Cllr Kingscote feels his new boss has been harshly criticised.

He says her suggestion that allowing registered firearm users to combat terrorists was simply stimulating debate.

“Sometimes you need to debate things to know if it is a good policy or not,” he added.

“Both Alison and myself have strong views. I am not frightened to challenge my views or to challenge hers: that’s what makes a good team to challenge and influence policy

“Of course I am a Conservative and my belief in Conservative values will never change but you have got to look at the bigger picture.

“My three principles are freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”

http://www.devonlive.com/deputy-crime-czar-on-debate-diversity-and-his-love-for-margaret-thatcher/story-30411987-detail/story.html#2zwRxTOuwUIUiKWr.99

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27 Jun 2017

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Police (local), Spin

“Labour slams ‘stupid and dangerous’ Tory crime czar as ‘unfit’ for office”

Owl says: at last someone prepared to say that this particular Empress has no professional clothes!

“Labour has called for the sacking of the Tory crime czar after her comments about armed citizens taking on terrorist attackers.

A group of Plymouth councillors have said Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner should be removed from her role for making “stupid and dangerous” comments about guns.

The group is pushing for a vote of no confidence in Alison Hernandez, saying they are “extremely alarmed” at her stance on how to tackle terrorists.

Earlier this month Ms Hernandez said vigilantes with guns could be part of the “solution” – but later insisted the interview had been misinterpreted.

Labour is preparing to table a motion at next week’s council meeting calling for action.

“Ms Hernandez’s statement that she would ‘really be interested’ in the suggestion shows she is unfit and unsuitable for office,” a spokesman said.

“We endorse Deputy Chief Constable Paul Netherton’s view that it would be ‘definitely an emphatic no’ to non-police officers taking up arms.

“A proposal to utilise domestically owned firearms is a crass and inadequate response to mounting concerns about police cuts.

“In particular it is an inadequate response to the previously reported removal of a large number of armed officers. This in turn is exacerbated by the removal of the ‘eyes and ears of the force’, the PCSOs and beat officers.”

READ MORE: Machete wielding man in gas mask wrestled to ground by brave neighbours after spate of fires

The motion calls for the council’s chief executive to write to the Home Secretary asking her to “remove Ms Hernandez from office, allowing Devon and Cornwall Police to continue the fight against crime, including terrorist threats, without these stupid and dangerous comments being made.”

The councillors also want to write to the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel Chair requesting he tables an urgent vote of no confidence in Ms Hernandez at their next full meeting.

A spokesman for Ms Hernandez’ office said: “There has been no official notification of any Plymouth City Council motion concerning the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Should a motion be tabled, any response from the commissioner will be made through the appropriate channels.”

http://www.devonlive.com/labour-slams-stupid-and-dangerous-tory-crime-czar-as-unfit-for-office/story-30411471-detail/story.html

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23 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Police (local), Sleaze

Meet and question Police and Crime Commissioner Hernandez in Exmouth

“Police commissioner to attend meeting in Exmouth

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall is to answer questions from the public at an event in Exmouth.

Alison Hernandez will attend an open meeting which will take place at Exmouth Community College’s Telfer Centre on July 5, at 7pm.

Residents from Exmouth and the surrounding area will be able to question her on local issues.”

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/police-commissioner-to-attend-meeting-in-exmouth-1-5075147

QUESTIONS SUCH AS:

Why do you need a deputy.
Why did you appoint a “good friend” to be your deputy?
Did you consult the Police and Crime Panel?
How many people did you interview for the post of deputy?
Do you really believe people with guns should supplement police?

and

What exactly are you FOR?

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23 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Police (local), Sleaze, Transparency

Hernandez appoints “old friend” as her deputy

Owl says: can this woman sink any further into the swamp? How many people were interviewed for the job, one wonders. The Police and Crime Panel has to ratify the post. Now THAT will be interesting!

“Crime czar Alison Hernandez has named a Conservative colleague from her local council days as her second-in-command.

The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner admitted in April this year that she was considering appointing a deputy commissioner to share the workload, including increased scrutiny.

She had toyed with the idea of campaigning for office alongside a running mate last year but eventually stood alone on the Tory ticket and was elected in her own right.

Now she has revealed that fellow Conservative and Torbay councillor Mark Kingscote will be her deputy.

Cllr Kingscote, a 55-year-old NHS support worker, who specialises in mental health is chairman of Torbay’s planning committee and a councillor since 2000.

He was born in Torquay and has been in the NHS for 25 years, is the elected member for Shiphay with the Willows, a ward Ms Hernandez used to jointly represent alongside him.

Devon Live first revealed the appointment earlier this month.

At the time Cllr Kingscote said he had not “had a conversation about” nor been offered the post, which carries an estimated salary level of £50,000 a year though it is expected to be part-time and cost the taxpayer closer to £30,000 annually.

However, he said he believed he had the experience to take on the role.

“I am more than capable of doing the job so I don’t see why not,” he added.

“I am chairman of the planning committee, have been on the scrutiny panel for more than four years and am perfectly capable of putting my hand to lots of different things.

“I have known Alison for a long time and we have worked together on lots of community projects in the past.

“I went down to help her last week – she said “do you want to come along?” and I said “yes”. It was quite casual, just supporting her really.

“I have been doing community engagement for a long time so it’s not unusual that I would get involved in a thing like that.

“I have been involved in diversity and supporting the police in wards I represent.”

Ms Hernandez is free to appoint a deputy, as other commissioners have, without approval from the Police and Crime Panel, which is set to convene early next month.

The commissioner’s predecessor, Conservative Tony Hogg, also took on paid help in the role.

He recruited Jan Stanhope for strategic support after he was elected, paying her around £20,000 a year for a two-day post, although she was not officially designated as his deputy.

Phillipa Davey, a Labour city councillor in Plymouth and a member of the panel which oversees the work of the commissioner, said that the appointment smacked of nepotism.

“I have to be careful what I say as at the moment I don’t know anything at all about the appointment or his credentials, she told Devon Live.

“It does seem a bit odd – jobs for people’s friends.

“I would be interested to know what experience he has and how qualified he is to do the job especially as this is a new post which we will all be paying for.”

The plans for a deputy come after the £100,000 a year chief executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner left at the end of last month.

Andrew White, who was recruited by Mr Hogg, has been hired by Lincolnshire Police to work as second-in-command to chief constable Bill Skelley.

Chief cons Skelly, who left his previous job as assistant chief constable in Devon and Cornwall last year, has hired White to become the force’s most senior civilian officer.

Ms Hernandez said she will next week ask the Police and Crime Panel to support the appointment of Mark Kingscote as her deputy.

She said he has significant experience in scrutinising the use of tax-payers money, planning, health (particularly mental health) and diversity.

“I have every confidence that Mark is the right person for this role,” she added.

“He is a strong individual who will represent the most vulnerable in our communities well, is committed to building safe, resilient and connected communities and with a track record in the areas we need to enhance efforts on.”

http://www.devonlive.com/crime-czar-appoints-old-tory-council-colleague-as-deputy/story-30406322-detail/story.html#1owjoWtiXb0PpTha.99

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21 Jun 2017

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, General Election, Health and Social Care (local), Inequality, Minority Government, Police (local)

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DUP wants £2 BILLION – that’s roughly 66,666 nurses, doctors, firefighters, police, teachers

Owl says: how many nurses, doctors, police and firefighters would that buy? Lets say they cost £30,000 each (source http://www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/uc/uc2010/uc2010_s10.pdf)
Answer: 66,666

“Theresa May’s most senior ally has admitted that a deal with the DUP is at risk as it emerged the Northern Irish party has demanded more than £2billion.

The DUP has demanded extra money for the NHS and infrastructure as a price for propping up a Conservative Government, according to reports.

It came as Damian Green, the Prime Minister’s own deputy, cast doubt on whether the Tories will be able to do a deal.

… The DUP is reportedly demanding an extra £1,100 is spent on each person in Northern Ireland.

Finance for devolved nations is usually allocated through the Barnett formula, which ensures any increases or decreases are proportional across the UK.

Every £1 spent in the province would require an additional £35 to be found for Scotland, England and Wales.

… There was speculation yesterday that the Conservatives could even open talks with the Liberal Democrats’ 12 MPs about supporting the Tory Government if the DUP talks fail.

The party believes that Downing Street’s approach to what should have been a relatively simple set of negotiations has been “chaotic” and insisted its support “can’t be taken for granted”.

Despite the drama Westminster sources have insisted that it is overwhelmingly likely that a deal will eventually be signed, most probably tomorrow.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/21/revealed-dup-demands-2bn-nhs-infrastructure-theresa-may-allies/

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13 Jun 2017

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“Devon and Cornwall’s police and crime commissioner should consider resigning over a row about whether gun owners could act as armed civilians in the event of a terror attack, a member of the Police and Crime Panel, which oversees and scrutinises the commissioner, has told BBC Radio Cornwall.

Alison Hernandez has since said her comments on BBC Radio Cornwall on Monday were “misinterpreted” and she was “not advocating the use of firearms or other weapons by members of the public in the event of a terrorist incident”.

However, panel member and former police officer Chris Batters said: “To make such a statement as she did without having ever consulted with the chief constable, I think, is outrageous.

“I think, at times, she does go off, in a gun term, half-cocked.

“At times, I’m doubtful whether she is up to the job. In the light of comments such as this, I sincerely think she should do [resign], yes.”

BBC Devon website 13.18 pm

Owl says: surely, what she said is only half the problem. You really CAN’T misinterpret what she said and it’s the fact that since saying it, she can’t see what she did wrong!

It will be very interesting to see what the Police and Crime Panel (the only group to which she is responsible) handles this one.

Do they retain confidence in her? If so, why?

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13 Jun 2017

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First councillor calls for Hernandez to stand down

“‘Police boss in armed civilians row ‘should stand down’

The Labour and Co-operative Parliamentary Candidate for South West Devon and city councillor was reacting to Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez finding herself at odds with her own force by saying she would look into whether gun owners could act as armed civilians in the event of a terror attack.” [Philippa Davey, Plymouth]

Source: BBC Devon Live website 9.34 am

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13 Jun 2017

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Hernandez and her “vigilante” comments get wide national coverage

If our Chief Constable can be investigated for misconduct when making mild, general comments about electoral expenses and investigations (he was cleared after a 7 month inquiry by another force) surely this woman can be investigated for her comments as covered below:

THE HEADLINES

THE SUN

“CORNISH NASTIES UK gun-owners could fight back in terror attack says Devon and Cornwall police chief – and suggests new ‘shoot-to kill’ powers”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3786327/uk-gun-owners-could-fight-back-in-terror-attack-says-devon-and-cornwall-police-chief-and-suggests-new-shoot-to-kill-powers/

DAILY MAIL

UK firearm owners could fight back in terror attack, says police chief: Devon and Cornwall crime commissioner suggests shoot-to-kill powers could be granted in ‘extreme circumstances’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4597814/UK-gun-owners-fight-terror-attack-says-police-chief.html

THE GUARDIAN

Gun owners could help fight terror attack, says police commissioner

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/12/gunowners-could-help-fight-terror-attack-says-police-commissioner?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

CORNWALL LIVE

Police commissioner Alison Hernandez to look at arming vigilantes to defend Cornwall from terrorist

http://www.cornwalllive.com/police-commissioner-alison-hernandez-to-look-at-arming-vigilantes-to-defend-cornwall-from-terrorists/story-30385717-detail/story.html

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12 Jun 2017

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Hernandez engages mouth before brain on response to terrorism

The Guardian has taken up the article below first published on the Express and Echo website:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/12/gunowners-could-help-fight-terror-attack-says-police-commissioner

The original article:

“The crime czar has come under fire for entertaining the idea that armed citizens could repel a terrorist attack.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez was asked by a caller to a Radio Cornwall phone-in whether private citizens with gun licences should use weapons to defend their community.

The Conservative did not support the idea but rather than outline standard police advice she told the woman to write in and promised to talk to the chief constable about it.

Devon and Cornwall police moved to quell any talk that the force might consider sanctioning some form of community force ready to take up arms in places like Devon.

The second most senior office told the public to stand down and said “highly trained police firearms officers and Special Forces will be deployed”

The police staff association also stated that such a move was not the way forward though it was unsure of the legal implications if such an extreme situation arose.

A spokesman for Ms Hernandez suggested she had been “dead batting” a controversial question and in no way backed the creation of a vigilante force.

William Morris, an independent candidate who stood for election as PCC last year, said there was “no way” we should even be “discussing or promoting the idea that an individual can take the law in their own hands”.

“I can understand how passions are aroused because terrorism is a terrible crime against humanity but if we start thinking that way then terrible mistakes can happen – it is not the right approach.

“Terrorism is beyond wrong – it is utterly abhorrent.

“The advice from the Met police will be echoed by the chief constable – to leave the area, if not to hide and then to report.

“I would hope she would (repeat this) and I am sure she will is she is asked again. Every right thinking person with a sense of community responsibility would say the same and I am sure on reflection she would.”

The issue of the public fighting back came to the forefront during the most recent terror attack in London when a football fan single-handedly took on the three knife-wielding killers.

Milwall supporter Roy Larner battled the terror attackers armed with nothing more than his fists and has been hailed a hero, with a petition launched for him to be awarded the George Cross.

In fighting back, the 47-year-old gave dozens of others who were in the Borough Market restaurant the chance to escape.

It is not the first time the Tory politician has got into hot water in Cornwall.

The police and crime chief, who admitted smoking dope as a teenager, last year confessed her love for hard-core gangsta rappers across the Tamar.

She revealed during an internet discussion on the Cornish Truro Hour that she was a one-time “fly girl” and a fan of California outfit NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitudes).

The group’s debut album in 1988, Straight Outta Compton, began with the track “F**k tha Police”, a protest against police brutality and racial profiling

A woman who called the Cornish chat show on Monday asked Ms Hernandez what her view on allowing licensed firearm users to enter the fray.

However, she later reportedly refused to discuss the idea further, not wanting to embarrass the commissioner.

Janice Adam, from the Police Federation, said reacting to and dealing with any such incidents should be left to highly specialised firearms officers.

A spokesman for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) said Ms Hernandez was not intending in any way to promote the idea.

“The answer came in response to a call to a radio show,” the spokesman added.

“The official advice from the police is to run, hide and communicate and Alison advocates this. There is no intention whatsoever to promote the use of guns by private individuals as weapons in any way.”

The force issued a statement following the radio show.

Deputy chief constable Paul Netherton said: “Quite obviously a marauding terrorist is the most challenging of circumstances, the police response requires significant professionalism and training as well as firearms capability.

“During these incidents, highly trained police firearms officers and Special Forces will be deployed to protect our communities.

“We would only use the normal military in response to a national security threat level and they would be deployed to free up police resources from their security duties.

“Under no circumstances would we want members of the public to arm themselves with firearms, not least because officers responding would not know who the offenders were, and quite obviously they would not have the time to ask.

“Our message to the public is a simple one: to run, to hide and to tell.

“Having said that, I accept that British policing will require anuplift in resources in response to the unprecedented threats we are currently facing.

“This includes additional operationally firearms capability as well as an investment in our local policing which does so much to identify and prevent people from committing terrorist acts.

“In light of the recent terrorist attacks and the threats that the UK are facing, we have already reviewed our resources and are working with other agencies to ensure that we have the capability to meet these threats.

http://www.devonlive.com/crime-czar-under-fire-for-entertaining-the-idea-of-armed-citizens-fighting-terrorism/story-30385781-detail/story.html