John Prescott, Former Deputy Prime Minister, To Run As Police Commissioner

Prescott For Police Commissioner?

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott will run to be a police commissioner.

Lord Prescott, the former MP from Hull East said he wanted to be the Labour candidate for Humberside, telling the Hull Daily Mail:

“I want the opportunity to continue my public service to the region with a mandate from the people to protect the community and target criminals.

“I feel that after proudly serving as a local MP for 40 years and as a cabinet minister for 10 years, I have the experience to listen to the public and help be their strong voice in supporting the police and holding them to account .”

He tweeted the announcement on Friday morning, saying:

Police commissioners will replace police authorities in England and Wales. They will oversee police budgets, set priorities, and will have the power to hire-and-fire chief constables.

Lord Prescott said his recent struggle with the Metropolitan Police over phone hacking has led him to believe there should be a "greater transparency and accountability of our police".

Two other local figures have already announced they want to stand in the contest to be the Labour candidate in Humberside.

These are former Hull City Council leader Colin Inglis and retired senior Humberside police officer Keith Hunter.

On Thursday Falklands veteran Simon Weston confirmed he will stand against former Wales first minister and ex-Labour minister for rural affairs Alun Michael for the job of Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales.

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