Labour big guns hail new police czar contender

Meredydd Hughes, who stood down as the force’s top officer in the autumn after seven years at the helm, insisted he would be focused on the issues that matter in South Yorkshire after confirming he will seek the Labour nomination for the job.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week how Mr Hughes was considering running after being approached by several senior Labour figures who are keen to have a heavyweight candidate for the post when the first elections are held in November. As commissioner, Mr Hughes would have powers to set budgets and hire and fire chief constables, but he insists it would not be a problem working alongside his replacement, former West Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable David Crompton.

“There has been some distance between when I was chief and when this new post will start its work,” he said. “I will ensure that the way I carry out the job will ensure that the chief constable is comfortable with being held to account for his operational leadership of the force.

“I don’t seek to be chief constable again. This is a new job and calls out for new skills.”

Both Labour and the Conservatives are currently seeking candidates to stand in the first elections for the controversial new posts, with elections in November. Mr Hughes is likely to find himself up against at least four other contenders for the South Yorkshire Labour nomination.

“Having been approached by senior figures in the party, I hope to offer fellow Labour party members good reason to support me,” he said. “I have extensive experience across the service, and a reputation for loyalty to the people it serves.

“I will be focused on the issues here in South Yorkshire, but never parochial, and I will ensure that everything I do improves the services that the local communities, businesses and partners receive from South Yorkshire Police.”

As chief constable, Mr Hughes was an outspoken critic of the impact deep funding cuts being imposed by the Government would have on public safety. He also was also doubtful about the introduction of commissioners, saying: “I can’t see how a single person is more representative of a local community than the 17 that we have at the moment.”

When he was retiring in October, he also raised concerns that people of insufficient calibre would come forward for the roles. Although he is known to have the support of a number of MPs, he also has others who are sceptical about whether it is right to have someone so recently retired as chief constable in the post.

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron, who would not declare who he is backing, said: “I did approach Med, as I approached other people. What we want to try to do is get as broad a field of experience as we can before we decide the nomination.

“He’s got all the experience in the world in terms of being a highly rated police officer.”

Asked about concerns among some Labour figures of the former chief constable standing for the job, Mr Barron said: “They’re two separate roles, and Med Hughes is aware of that. I think as far as that’s concerned he said that wouldn’t be a problem.”

Alan Hartley, who chaired the South Yorkshire Police Authority for four years to 2008, said his regard for Mr Hughes was “quite emphatic”.

“In my view he’s got considerable experience, he knows policing inside out at all levels,” he said, “I believe he’s got all the skills and ability to do the job.”

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett, the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP who recently ruled himself out of the running for the post, said: “It is not clear at this stage whether those who have just left a post of chief Constable would be committed to stand in the same police service area, nor whether this would be acceptable to the incoming Chief Constable of the area concerned.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “There is nothing to stop recently retired chief constables standing as PCCs.”