WILTSHIRE Police has asked for a neighbouring police force to lead an inquiry into this year's police and crime commissioner election.

This comes after news broke on Sunday night that Conservative candidate Jonathan Seed should have been disqualified due to a prior drink-drive conviction.

Mr Seed then pulled out of the race but by this point, the election had already been held and the votes were about to be counted.

He received more than 100,000 votes, more than any other candidate, but a new election will now have to be held to determine the true successor to outgoing PCC Angus Macpherson.

By law, anyone convicted of an imprisonable offence cannot act as police and crime commissioner.

Mr Seed said he first declared his drink drive conviction to the party in 2011 but was assured it wouldn’t disbar him.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have today asked Thames Valley Police to lead an external, independent investigation in to matters surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election.

"We have asked another police force to lead on this work to ensure independent oversight and to remove any potential conflict of interest.

"As a result of this, it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further."

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police added: “Following a request by Wiltshire Police, we have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner election. As our enquiries are ongoing we will not be making further comment at this time.”