The Tory candidate for Hampshire's first police commissioner role has teamed up with an army lieutenant colonel as his running mate.

Former East Hampshire MP Michael Mates, 78, said he will make Lt Col Chris Brannigan, a former tank commander, his “deputy” if he wins the election in November for the £85,000-a-year post.

Mr Mates, who has faced calls from within his own party to withdraw from the race in a row over money he received for giving up a rented Westminster flat when he was an MP, said residents would get a team of “unparalleled experience”.

He said: “We can deliver a unique solution for the future management of policing in our county.”

Mr Mates has pledged to make sure Hampshire police has the best available technology to fight crime.

Meanwhile Labour candidate Jacqui Rayment, the deputy leader of Southampton council, has come under fire from Tories for refusing to say whether she will stand down as a councillor if she wins the election.

The former chairman of Hampshire Police Authority for six years said she will make a decision in her own time but would “never insult the electorate” by not giving the time that is considered due to her public offices.

She said she was the only candidate with local experience and a proven track record adding “as far as I can see, local residents have no confidence in David Cameron's candidate, Michael Mates.”

Other declared candidates for the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner role include Liberal Democrat David Goodall, Independent Simon Hayes, and Don Jerrard from the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party.

The closing date for nominations is October 19. Elections will take place on November 15.