A NEWPORT MP said there is a danger Gwent will have two chief constables after the election of Ian Johnston, the region’s new police and crime commissioner.

Politicians and others from across the region offered warm words for Mr Johnston at the weekend, amid criticism of the way the poll was publicised.

But Paul Flynn , MP for Newport West , said: “It is mistake to put someone in to keep an eye on the conduct of the police when that person is part of the police community.

“The danger is that we will have two chief constables.

That’s the danger here and elsewhere.”

He offered Mr Johnston, who is a former senior Gwent Police officer, his congratulations.

Labour’s Hamish Sandison came second after Mr Johnston, and Labour Blaenau Gwent council leader Hedley McCarthy wondered whether the party might have been better off having nothing to do with the election.

“Having said that, we did, and we lost with a very poor turn out which we have got to put down to the fact that I don’t think it was promoted properly,” he added.

ConservativeAMfor South Wales East William Graham said the government had not listened to people calling for material on the election to be funded to all voters. The Gwent turnout was 14.3 per cent and at the polling station at Malpas Cricket Club, Bettws, no one voted.

“I don’t think the Labour party tried very hard quite frankly. They were more concerned with Cardiff South and Penarth,” he said, referring to the by-election in the capital.

Mr Graham said people voting for Tory candidate Nick Webb helped Ian Johnston get in with second preference votes. Senior Newport Tory councillor David Fouweather, who had backed Mr Johnston, said he was delighted and added he and others in the party will do their best to offer Mr Johnston their support.

Newport Tory group leader Cllr Matthew Evans said he was “delighted” that Labour “got a bloody nose”.

“Clearly the turn out was extremely disappointing. It’s not something that will capture the public’s imagination.

If you had a referendum on whether you bring back hanging we would have had a high turnout.” he said.

The low turnout for the election was hardly surprising when the UK Government refused to resource the election properly, according to Newport East MP Jessica Morden, who added she looked forward to working constructively with the new police commissioner.

Lindsay Whittle, a Plaid AM for South Wales East who had supported Mr Johnston, congratulated him on his success and said he has the experience to make a success of the role.

Chief constable is ‘neutral about it’

THE chief constable of Gwent Police offered her congratulations to Ian Johnston following his win on Friday.

Carmel Napier, said: “I look forward to meeting him next week so we can take forward the very successful journey that Gwent Police is on.”

Asked if she was happy that a former Gwent Police officer was elected, she said: “I’m neutral about it.

Whoever was successful I would have been professional with.”

Linda Sweet, Unison Gwent Police and justice branch secretary, said Ian Johnston was known from his previous job as chief superintendent.

“He was very supportive of Unison within Gwent Police and we hope that relationship will continue,” she said.