Herbert rejects free PCC mailshots
Nick Herbert has dismissed calls for independent candidates in police and crime commissioner elections to be given a free mailshot, saying the idea was "not a justifiable expense."
The Prime Minister had been urged to give independent candidates a free mailshot, amid fears the polls will be unfairly weighted in favour of political hopefuls.
A group of independent runners are to deliver a protest letter to Number 10 today.
Asked this morning why he opposed the idea, Mr Herbert said: "Principally because of the cost... The cost of an election address would be between £25m and £35m. We simply felt that in the current climate that was not a justifiable expense."
However he insisted that candidates would get help communicating with electorate: "What we’re going to do is have a national candidate website that will have the details... of every candidate, that they will supply themselves."