Independent candidate Mervyn Barrett is standing down from the Lincolnshire Police Crime Commissioner elections.
His nomination was withdrawn on Wednesday morning.
His entire campaign team resigned earlier this week after The Telegraph alleged in a report that Mervyn Barrett’s campaign was funded by a US-based neo-conservative think tank, the Fund for the New American Century, which has a variety of corporate donors with an interest in public-sector privatisation.
The incoming PCC would control the policing budget and also decide on the future of the Lincoln Police Station: such as the plans to build a new custody suite in Nettleham, and a new police station in the city centre.
He said in a statement on Monday in response to the newspaper article: “I am not for sale, I never have been for sale and I never will be for sale.
“If anybody who donated to my campaign thought differently they are very sorely mistaken. It is disingenuous in the extreme to suggest that I am in some way anybody’s puppet.
“The policies contained within my manifesto were developed and agreed by me alone. They represent the results of my best thinking and my experience developed over three decades in the field of criminal justice.”
Mervyn Barrett also cancelled an appearance at a hustings event in Lincoln on Tuesday evening.
The Lincolnshire PCC elections so far have not been short of controversy, as two other candidates pulled out previously.
Labour had to replace their initial candidate, Phil Dilks, after he stepped down over an offence relating to a schoolboy prank in the 1960s, which resulted in a £5 fine.
Elliott Fountain from the English Democrats previously announced he will be running for the role, but he was not on the final nominations list.
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Police are investigating an unexplained death in the Waddingham village area near Gainsborough and Hemswell Cliff.
Emergency services were called to a house in Clay Lane, Waddingham just before 6:30pm on Thursday (30 June) following reports of a female being injured in the property.
Upon arrival, a woman believed to be in her 60s, was found injured and confirmed deceased at the property.
Her death is currently being treated as unexplained and investigations are ongoing.
We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a fail to stop in Welton, Lincoln.
It’s believed a black or grey 4×4 or SUV vehicle collided with a silver Mini Cooper that was parked along Cliff Road. The incident was reported just after 3pm today.
If you witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage available, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 275 of 1st July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 275 of 1st July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.