“Police have still not even asked for a date to interview Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez about expenses for the general election campaign, her chief of staff has revealed.
Ms Hernandez, who was criticised for taking a “selfie” with the chief fire officer at the scene of the Exeter fire last week, is set to be interviewed following a complaint about alleged false accounting, following her role as the Conservative Party election agent in Torbay MP Kevin Foster’s victorious campaign in 2015.
The allegations relate to expenses for the Tory “Battle Bus”, which brought activists to constituencies from outside the area with leaflets and are thought to have helped swing the vote.
Cornwall MPs Scott Mann and George Eustice are among those caught up in the investigations, which are continuing.
The issue has dogged the PCC since the story broke days before her own election victory in May by a narrow margin.
She has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insists she stands ready and willing to assisst any investigation.
Andrew White, chief executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) said the investigation in Devon and Cornwall by West Mercia police was expected to conclude in weeks but no request has been made to speak to the commissioner.
Mr White, who I referred allegations about election expenses and potential breaches of electoral law on expenses in the Torbay constituency, said: “I am informed by the IPCC that the investigation is progressing. It is expected that the investigation should conclude by November this year. I can confirm that West Mercia Police have not yet requested an interview with the PCC, Alison Hernandez.”
“Following the investigation, a report will be presented to the IPCC and a decision will be made whether the case should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS),” Mr White added
“This investigation is one of a number of similar investigations being undertaken across the country.
“I will issue further updates as and when any relevant information, that I am allowed to disclose by the relevant bodies, becomes available.”
It emerged last month that Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer was also under investigation after comments he made about diverting police resources to deal with the inquiry.
The remarks which have got Mr Sawyer into hot water were made in a BBC interview, when he said that although “democracy is important” Parliament needed to consider procedures for dealing with complaints about the way elections are run.
“This is taking up police time,” he said. “It is taxpayers’ money.”
Adrian Sanders, who made the complaint, has said that it was not for the chief constable to make such comments.
“You can’t make statements like that unless you have some background detail,” he told the BBC.
“He’s not in a position to know that detail, especially when it’s his boss who is the subject of investigation.”
In a statement, the chief constable denied any wrongdoing and said he would cooperate fully with the investigation.”
