Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones cleared of breaking code of conduct over election support
HAMPSHIRE’S Conservative police and crime commissioner has been cleared of breaking the code of conduct by lending support to Tory election candidates – and has hit out at people trying to “discredit” her despite “overwhelming public support” for her.
Donna Jones faced a police and crime complaints panel, writes Natalia Forero of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
She stood accused of breaching the code of conduct and oath of impartiality by endorsing candidates in north Hampshire in the recent local elections.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Panel complaints sub-committee received three complaints on 11th April – from three individuals who wanted to remain anonymous – against the commissioner.
They took exception to videos she made during the pre-election period purdah, when she was campaigning in the Hart district, which were then posted on Facebook.
The complainants claimed that the PCC had broken the code of conduct and the oath of impartiality required to perform her duty as a public representative.
One complaint said: “I am truly outraged that this is allowed to happen and deepens the perception that the police are heavily influenced by politics for their own game. The PCC role should not be a political one.”
The complainants’ had called for the PCC to remove the social media posts, apologise for the “political propaganda”, and stop using her office to campaign.
In a letter put before the panel, Mrs Jones defended herself against the allegations.
It read: “I am aware and always cognisant to the duty placed upon me by statute of law, to act impartially when representing the public.
“It is worth pointing out that I’m not responsible for the publications of others, and the posts included in the complaint are for third-party social media channels and not mine.
“But in any case, if the post were on my social media channels, this is not a breach of the legislation or the guidance.”
Panel member, Conservative Cllr Sean Woodward, said: “We agreed that the code was engaged because she attended as a police and crime commissioner.
“The police and crime commissioner is elected as a politician. Much like a government minister who will carry on his duty in an impartial fashion, engage with all parties, and then go out and campaign for their own party.
“It is the same for a council leader, executive member, police and crime commissioner or government minister; that is what they do.
“I don’t think there is evidence whatsoever of any use of the resources for political purposes.”
But Labour councillor Tony Jones said that while it was agreed there was no breach, the public “might see it from a different perspective”.
“I’m not happy with the way it is laid down – [just] as much as if it [were] a Labour crime commissioner or anybody else,” he said. “But they are politicians trying to promote their people; it might be very biased, but that’s politics, I’m afraid.
“Therefore, there is nowhere to go. It is not good for the public, in my view, as they might see it from a different perspective.”
The panel ruled there was no breach and resolved that no action would be taken against Mrs Jones.
