Conservative councillor David Craggs has resigned today, less than a fortnight after winning the by-election in River Ward, Medway.
Kent News reports:
The Gad’s Hill headteacher stood down from his position earlier today.
Yourmedway approached Mr Craggs for a comment and was told that a full statement detailing the reasons behind his resignation would be released later this afternoon.
However, we are led to believe that Mr Craggs was told he must choose between serving as a special constable, a position he has held for 17 years, and a Medway councillor.
Conservative Craggs gained the seat from Labour in the by-election on 12 August. Another by-election will be held within 35 days.
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A Preston Lib Dem councillor also resigned shortly after being elected in May.
Guess that is the downside of the “no political affiliation” policing rule
David davies MP, (not that one) is a special constable, why does he have no trouble?
“Volunteer” storm-troopers do worry me
In reply to Dom (11:07 PM, 25th August), I think it is because local authorities, via Police Authorities, have a degree of indirect control over policing in the local area and there might be a conflict of interest for anyone being a Special Constable and a Councillor.
With an MP that isn’t the case. They set ‘generic’ policies rather than locally specific ones.
That having been said I don’t see why this wasn’t flagged up before the election. Surely someone in Medway’s legal services department, or their equivalents at Kent Police or the Kent Police Authority (or the agent) should have spotted this?