MP calls for PCC role to be scrapped
A WEST Midland MP and the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) have had a heated exchange in a party political row.
Meriden Conservative MP Saqib Bhatti said the job of PCC Simon Foster should be scrapped. Mr Foster is a Labour appointee with the West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, a Conservative.
Mr Foster claimed Mr Bhatti’s suggestion amounted to “undemocratic hostile takeover” bid. Mr Bhatti made his call in a Westminster debate on knife crime in the West Midlands, which was led by Suzanne Webb, the Tory MP for Stourbridge.
He claimed: “Is it not now just very, very clear, the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner is completely failing in his task and brings into question whether we should even have a Police and Crime Commissioner? Isn’t it time to scrap the PCC in the West Midlands?”
Afterwards, he added: “I have long campaigned against the proposed closure of Solihull Police Station by Labour’s PCC. Along with the lack of publicfacing facilities at Chelmsley Wood Police Station, this puts the safety of my constituents at risk and does nothing to tackle the concern around anti-social behaviour.
“One thing is clear, the PCC powers need to be handed to the Mayor of the West Midlands, and the Labour PCC position scrapped.”
But Mr Foster responded: “The reckless financial cuts imposed on West Midlands Police that resulted in the loss of 25% of our police officers were all supported by, voted for and implemented by Saqib Bhatti MP’s own party.
“His own government’s ill-advised, misconceived and poor decision-making have undoubtedly contributed to a rise in crime and made his own constituents and the people of the West Midlands less safe and secure.
“Saqib Bhatti MP’s own party has stood for election to the role of PCC four times and on each occasion they have been roundly defeated. That is because his party is not trusted with policing and crime by the people of the West Midlands. The sooner his party’s chaotic and failing government leaves office the better. Saqib Bhatti’s own party and its West Midlands Metro Mayor intend to abolish your democratic right to vote, end direct accountability, remove your choice as to who represents you and transfer power from you, the people, to the Mayor.
“Make no mistake, this is nothing more than a proposed hostile takeover.”