Tory candidate for police commissioner quits over 40 year old criminal record
The Conservative Party nomination for the Police and Crime Commissioner, Mike Quigley has quit the race over a criminal record dating back more than 40 years.
The Advertiser exclusively reported in July that Mr Quigley had spent a night in the cells after he was arrested for a criminal offence.
His standing down follows that of a number of candidates nationally who have found themselves in a similar position.
The Labour candidate for Derbyshire, Alan Charles was one of them.
Mr Charles initially stood down but was reinstated after lawyers advised him a conditional discharge he received for stealing a woman's purse 47 years ago wouldn't bar him from standing.
Home Office rules say anyone convicted of an offence which could attract a prison sentence cannot be a candidate.
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 disqualifies a person from standing for election as a police and crime commissioner (PCC) if they have, at any time, been convicted of an imprisonable offence.
Mr Quigley was elected on a county Conservative Party membership vote ahead of the former leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Mr Tony Roberts who has now accepted the candidacy.
All candidates were vetted by Conservative Central Office and Mr Quigley's prior conviction was disclosed by him.
Mr Quigley, 65, is chairman of Nottinghamshire Police Authority's professional standards committee.
He said in July: "As a teenager, in fact it was my 21st birthday party, I had a bit too much to drink.
"In fact my drinks were laced by someone else. I don't remember it but I woke up in a cell. Beer and vodka do not mix very well. I don't remember what the charge was but my recollection is that I received a small fine."
At the time he did not believe the record compromised him.
He said this week: "I requested the information from the magistrates' court which I didn't realise you could do and it turns out I broke a window. It was criminal damage.
"I am disappointed. I would never have put myself or my family through all of this publicity had I thought I would be disbarred.
"I had high hopes and a wealth of experience I thought I could bring to the job.
"I find the whole system to be a little flawed."
The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, the senior Tory MP overseeing selection in Nottinghamshire, said today: I am extremely sorry to see Mike Quigley gone.
"From a selfish point of view though I am delighted to see a Newark man get the candidacy."
The Police and Crime Commissioner will be publicly elected in November and replace the police authority.
Mr Roberts' opponent from Labour is the former Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping.
