THE Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that they will offer no evidence in court against the former Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate, Jonathon Seed.
The Conservative Party’s candidate for the PCC role in Swindon and Wiltshire, who is also a Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural, is due to stand trial on 18th July for allegedly making a false declaration in his nomination papers.
A CPS spokesperson said, “We have a duty to keep cases under continuing review and, following a further review, we concluded that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.”
In a statement to White Horse News, Jonathon Seed said, “I have been informed today (8th June) that the Crown Prosecution Service have confirmed that they will offer no evidence against me in relation to my matter at Oxford Crown Court where I am charged with making a false statement on my nomination papers for the election of the police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire at the 2021 election.
“This decision followed further representations made by my solicitors that the case should be discontinued against me.
“I am naturally pleased and relieved, but very disappointed as to why it was felt necessary to bring a prosecution against me at all.
“I would particularly like to thank my family, legal team and friends for their unswerving loyalty, belief, and support throughout the past traumatic year.
“I will be providing a more detailed statement once my case has been formally withdrawn against me at Oxford Crown Court.”
The Conservative Party’s candidate for the PCC role in Swindon and Wiltshire won the PCC election in May last year. However, he was barred from the role because of a historical drink driving offence – an offence that was not disclosed in his nomination papers.
Jonathon Seed claimed that when he applied to be a PCC candidate, he believed that he was an eligible candidate and that he had declared his driving conviction to the Conservative Party.
A police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the election was led by Thames Valley Police, who were authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service to charge Jonathon Seed with making a false declaration in his nomination papers.
