A MAN from Newport has been selected to run as the Conservative candidate for November's police and crime commissioner candidate in Gwent.

But Nick Webb, a 32-year-old from Newport who works for a Bath public relations firm, has admitted that the odds are against him in the region.

He denied he is a paper candidate and says he will campaign for the role, despite previous suggestions from a senior local Tory source that the party had decided to seek exactly that.

The source had expressed worries that it would be a tough fight for the party in a region dominated by Labour, while senior Newport Conservative Cllr David Fouweather has backed Ian Johnston.

Mr Webb has been backed by both Monmouth assembly member Nick Ramsay and the area's MP David Davies.

The candidate has said the public will not stand an overly partisan campaign and "such an approach would be counterproductive."

Mr Webb, who was selected at a party meeting on Monday in Usk, said he has had experience of being a victim crime and standing up to anti-social behaviour.

He said the role was not about selling the police to the public but "representing the grass roots."

"I have served as a community councillor. When I have seen anti-social behaviour going on I have been prepared to make it clear that it’s not acceptable in the area," he said.

"I think I will bring an understanding of what is happening at the grass roots level."

But he admitted "the odds are against us" and that Labour will start as favourites, but said the election wasn't predictable.

"This is not a paper candidacy. I am going to get involved in the campaign," he added.

Monmouth AM Mr Ramsay said: "I think he has ideas beyond party politics. I hope that the other candidates fight the election in that spirit."

MP Mr Davies added: "I'm absolutely delighted our candidate is in place. I look forward to working with him over the coming months."

‘Advice’ over comment

AN OFFICER alleged to have made an inappropriate comment on a social media site relating to the forthcoming police and crime commissioner elections will recieve “words of advice”, a Gwent Police spokesman said.

The Argus previously reported that Independent candidate Chris Wright said an officer was subject to a disiciplinary investigation after wishing him well on his Facebook page.

The spokesman for Gwent Police said the investigation is complete and the officer would receive words of advice regarding their future conduct.