Commissioner survives no confidence vote

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A MOTION of no confidence in West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore and his deputy has been rejected by members of Worcestershire County Council.

The county’s Labour group had called for Mr Longmore to consider his position after controversially appointing his friend Barrie Sheldon as his deputy.

Labour councillor Alan Amos described the appointment of Mr Sheldon as a 'blatant, rampant, and self-serving act of cronyism, which betrays extraordinary arrogance and bad judgement.'

"Obviously Mr Longmore intended this appointment before the election. Had he told voters he was going to do this at anytime during his election campaign, then people could have made a judgement before voting for him," he added.

But the motion failed to win the support of a number of councillors, many of whom criticised Mr Longmore but believed the blame lay with the legislation drawn up to elect Police and Crime Commissioners.

County council leader Adrian Hardman said: "There is no doubt Mr Longmore has got off to a terrible start. 

"If he had embraced transparency he would not be in the mess he is in now."

Four Labour councillors voted for the motion with 27 votes against and 18 councillors abstaining.

Speaking after the vote Mr Longmore said: "I intend to work constructively with the Police and Crime Panel and with all the local authorities in West Mercia and I am pleased we can now move the agenda on to what really matters, providing the best policing for the people of West Mercia."

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