Colin Skelton, one of the two independent candidates standing in next week’s election to become Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has won the support of Martin Bell, the journalist who become an independent MP in 1997.
Bell overturned a huge Tory majority in Tatton, Cheshire, to defeat Neil Hamilton, then involved in sleaze allegations, and became the celebrated MP in a white suit.
In a message to Mr Skelton, he says: “To many voters this is an unwanted and unnecessary election. It will replace the old system of accountability with a new one which threatens to politicise the police.”
“It is for that reason very important to defend the independence of our police forces from interference by political commissars. The political parties have their candidates in the field, whose only qualification in some cases is their party loyalty. A number of outstanding Independent candidates have also put themselves forward, whose election would be greatly in the public interest.”
“It would keep our valued police services politically neutral and publicly accountable. I urge all voters to consider the Independent option.”
Donation made to animal rescue team
