CHESHIRE'S police commissioner has criticised comments and tweets about his deputy not standing in for him at a police panel meeting saying he had a pre-existing commitment.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer was absent from Friday’s (June 24) meeting of the police and crime panel because he had Covid.

Panel members asked for clarification of the deputy commissioner’s role as deputy David McNeilage didn’t stand in at the meeting so there was no-one to answer questions from the cross-party panel, whose job is to scrutinise the work of the police commissioner.

Knutsford Guardian:

PCC John Dwyer and deputy David McNeilage

In an open letter to panel chair Evan Morris, Mr Dwyer said he had asked to attend the meeting himself remotely as he had Covid, but his office was told this was not possible because of the technology set up at Winsford where the meeting was held.

Mr Dwyer said: “I understand that my office was again contacted via the panel secretariat on Thursday afternoon, less than 24 hours prior to the panel meeting, to enquire whether my deputy could attend in my absence. My office correctly advised that this would not be possible due to my deputy having a pre-existing commitment.

“Nevertheless, it would appear that a number of panel members offered comment at the panel meeting, suggesting my deputy should have been in attendance and there has been no engagement with the panel since his appointment. The panel subsequently sought to question the role of my deputy, which is unfortunate.”

The commissioner added: “The decision by some panel members to question the role of my deputy and suggest there has been no engagement is extremely disappointing and, with respect, unacceptable.”

He said his office had sent an email to the panel officer in February, explaining that should any panel member wish to meet with the deputy, they should contact him directly via email to arrange a meeting.

“My deputy remains committed to meeting with panel members should they wish to do so, but it is apparent that no request has been made by any panel member,” Mr Dwyer said.

Mr Morris, who was also unable to attend the meeting, had tweeted on Saturday: “I have requested from officers of @CheshireEast an interpretation of the legislation relating to Deputy Police and Crime Commissioners standing in the absence of @CheshirePCC”

In response to this, Mr Dwyer said Mr Morris was more than entitled to request an interpretation of the legislation.

Mr Dwyer added: “The panel’s main function is to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, by me in my role as police and crime commissioner and in connection with the discharge of my functions.

“Although permitted within legislation, I do not believe it would be appropriate for the panel to scrutinise my deputy in my absence for this reason.

“Whilst I remain fully committed to attending panel meetings, I would request that where exceptional circumstances prevent my attendance in the future - such as Covid-19 or other illness - the panel implements its own rules of procedure and an alternative date for my attendance is arranged.

“That said, should I be unable to attend any future panel meeting, I will ensure my deputy is available to attend in my absence should this be the wish of the panel.”

Mr Dwyer’s full letter can be read here.