You do not have to say anything...

Iwas never a big fan of Jason Ablewhite, Cambridgeshire’s second ever police and crime commissioner. His Facebook comments made before his election about ‘pikeys’, ‘Spanish asylum seekers’ and an ‘inflatable grotto lorry’ may well have been private banter with friends as he claimed, but they still seemed hugely inappropriate for someone who was taking on a senior and sensitive post.

His role required him to support and challenge the chief constable and the force.

Mr Ablewhite seemed to have done a fair enough job – although for me there was a bit too much support and not enough challenge.

His resignation came as a genuine shock – revealed exclusively by my colleague Joel Lamy – as did the revelation that he had been referred to a police watchdog after a complaint about his behaviour which was ‘potentially criminal’.

Beyond that we know very little as the establishment once again decides to keep the public in the dark.

I am a great believer in the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ but the public has a right to know what the allegation is. The Independent Office for Police Conduct are investigating but have been less then forthcoming.

Cambridgeshire Police Force, who Mr Ablewhite was holding to account until he quit, would only say: “This matter has been referred to the IOPC, therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

What is inappropriate is that the tax-paying public are denied information. I think we need someone to hold them to account.