PCC candidate in Wiltshire withdraws from election race a day before the count
Jonathan Seed was the Conservative Party's candidate
Last updated 10th May 2021
The Conservative candidate in the Police and Crime Commissioner elections for Wiltshire and Swindon has withdrawn, hours before the count takes place.
On Sunday, the Party said Mr Seed had been 'disbarred' after a historic driving offence had 'come to light'.
Electoral Commission rules state that a person cannot stand if they have been convicted of an imprisonable offence - even if the conviction is spent or they were never jailed.
In a statement, Mr Seed says he previously declared his conviction and was told he would still be able to run.
"I can confirm that I have today withdrawn my candidacy for the post of Police Crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon.
"To the best of my knowledge and belief when I applied for, and became the Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for the Conservative Party in Wiltshire and Swindon, I was an eligible candidate. I have declared my thirty-year-old driving conviction to the Party in my applications both to be a Parliamentary candidate and more recently a PCC candidate. Party officials confirmed my belief that my offence did not disqualify me. I have now been advised that this is not the case, and that I am disqualified as a PCC candidate. I have therefore withdrawn.
"I am bitterly disappointed that I will not be able to take up the post if I were to be elected. I wish the successful candidate every success in the role. I will continue with my work as a local councillor and within the local community, to which I have dedicated my life for the past 20 years".
Mr Seed was re-elected to Wiltshire Council as a ward councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural on Saturday (8th May).
PCC COUNT WILL STILL GO AHEAD
The count for Swindon and Wiltshire's new Police and Crime Commissioner will take place today (Monday 10th May), at Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury.
Terence Herbert, returning officer for the election count said:
"Once a candidate’s nomination paper has been accepted by the Returning Officer, they are formally a candidate and their name must appear on the ballot paper.
“As the election was held on Thursday 6 May, the ballot papers must be verified and counted and the result declared, in accordance with electoral law".
You can find out about the candidates here.
You will be able to find the result on our news page.