(Middlesbrough) (Lab):...On a
point of order, Mr Speaker. In the past few days, there have been
media reports by of Sky TV and of The Sunday Times about
the complaint to Cleveland police by its own police and
crime commissioner, . He was standing to be a
councillor on 4 May while remaining as PCC and lost that election
after a number of recounts. Prior to the poll, he complained
about a leaflet that was distributed in the ward in which he was
standing and, as a result, Cleveland police officers attended at
the homes of each of the three Labour activists involved in its
production, telling one of them that the leaflet had “upset
Steve”. Following their interrogations and a week-long inquiry,
the police concluded that there was no case to answer.
Nazir Afzal, the former senior prosecutor and former chief
executive of the Association of Police and
Crime Commissioners said that Mr Turner appeared
to have received special treatment by the police and:
“The perception is that he abused his power in this case”.
The PCC code explicitly says:
“The Commissioner will not use the resources of the office for
personal benefit…The resources will not be used improperly for
political purposes, including party political purposes”.
We on this side have called for an urgent investigation, but I
seek your guidance as to whether you have received any
confirmation from the Government that such an inquiry will be
held and a statement will be made to the House about these
matters.
Mr Speaker
First, I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving notice of
his point of order. I have not received any notice about a
statement on the matter he has raised.
