Mates gets backing from Theresa May in bid to become police commissioner

Michael Mates Michael Mates

THE HOME Secretary has backed the controversial Conservative choice to be Hampshire’s new police commissioner.

Theresa May said Michael Mates, pictured, “would be able to knock heads together” if he wins next month’s poll.

She told the Daily Echo he would be “focused on cutting crime”.

Mr Mates has faced calls to withdraw from the race from some Hampshire Conservatives over a payout he received for giving up a rented flat. He was also criticised for his support for notorious fraudster Asil Nadir, who was jailed for ten years in August.

Ms May said she had held a meeting with Mr Mates at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham and he was “well aware” of what the job entailed.

Comments(9)

Lone Ranger. says...
2:53pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Well it is unlikely that she would back any other party or any indepedant candidate is it.
.
As the Home Secretary i am surprised that she would wish to be associated with him ........ But then again !!!

roofspace says...
4:01pm Mon 15 Oct 12

She told the Daily Echo he would be “focused on cutting crime”. Why then didn't he disassociate himself with the Polly Peck thief one wonders instead of praising him.
Not the sort of facade one one would desire to inspire confidence in a police commissioner.

Boatman says...
4:42pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Should the Home Secretary really be expressing such views? Why does the Police Commissioner issue have to be yet another party political issue?

cantthinkofone says...
5:42pm Mon 15 Oct 12

"Minister Backs Mates" - bravo on the headline. Cronyism! :-D

cantthinkofone says...
5:46pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Boatman wrote:
Should the Home Secretary really be expressing such views? Why does the Police Commissioner issue have to be yet another party political issue?
Because it comes with a degree of power, and politicians have an unquenchable lu5t for that.

Mates would be a totally pointless appointment. The only man running that would make the role into something worthwhile, instead of just spin position, is Don Jerrard.

A Southampton resident says...
6:37pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Oh No! Not another failed politician.

Policing is too important an issue to be left in the hands of people like Mates.

Bartat says...
10:43am Wed 17 Oct 12

Quite apart from Maverick Marmite's chequered past and money grabbing expense history it is a fact that judges are required to retire at 70, yet this near octogenarian is considered fit for such an important role.

For the sake of sanity I hope those who do decide to vote do so for an independent and Jerrard seems a very good choice.

pub quiz says...
3:22pm Wed 17 Oct 12

(1) Mr mates youer to old for the job
(2) you do not live in hampshier You Live in West Sussex
(3) so stand in west Sussex

Romsey Constituent says...
7:41pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I think that this raises the question of Mrs.May's judgement as well,if she supports Mates as PCC.
God help us.

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