Grayling raises Labour candidate 'allegations'

A SENIOR minister has suggested allegations surrounding Labour's candidate to be Humberside police and crime commissioner could make him unfit for the post.
Chris GraylingChris Grayling
Chris Grayling

Leader of the Commons Chris Grayling told MPs it was important the “truth” emerged before next Thursday when the police and crime commissioner elections are held.

Labour tonight hit back, accusing the Conservatives of engaging in a “desperate smear”.

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Mr Grayling was responding to a question in the Commons today from Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy over whether former police officers standing to become PCCs should be forced to make public their service records.

The Leader of the Commons responded: “I am aware of allegations about the Labour PCC candidate in Humberside.

“If the stories alleged about that candidate are true, he is unfit for public office, and it is a matter of public interest that the truth should be known before election day.”

Mr Grayling stopped short of going into detail over the nature of the allegations.

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Keith Hunter, a former chief superintendent with Humberside Police, is Labour’s candidate in the Humberside PCC election where the Conservatives’ Matthew Grove is seeking a second term.

A spokesman for Mr Hunter said: “Keith has an exemplary record from 30 years’ service for Humberside Police with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of the Constabulary stating he made ‘an outstanding contribution to performance in all his posts’.

“If the Tories have allegations they should say what they are and we’ll answer them.

“If they don’t, this is nothing more than a desperate smear from a panicking Tory Party evidently now prepared to use senior government ministers at the Dispatch Box to carry out their dirty tricks.”

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