Simone Butterworth, ex-Hull City Council leader, joins police commissioner race

FORMER city council leader Simone Butterworth has joined the race to become the region's first police and crime commissioner.

The city councillor has been chosen by Liberal Democrats across the Humber region to be their candidate in the election.

She is the first female candidate to throw their hat into the ring for the new directly elected post, which will effectively replace the Humberside Police Authority.

The commissioner's post is expected to come with an annual salary of about £75,000.

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Councillor Butterworth said: "I am standing in this election because people in the Humberside force area deserve a progressive alternative to the choices on offer.

"I believe policing should be fair and independent – there should be no political interference in operational policing.

"Policing should also respond to the needs of local communities. It is not up to politicians to impose their views.

"At a time when there is precious little money to go round, every available penny should be spent on frontline policing."

She is the longest-serving Liberal Democrat on the city council, having first been elected in 1994.

She served for a year and was then elected again in 1998 and has been a member of the council ever since.

During that time, she has always represented the city's Avenue ward.

She became council leader in 2002 when the Lib Dems ousted Labour with the support of a number of Independent councillors. It was the first time in more than 30 years that Labour had lost political control at the Guildhall.

After a high-profile split with some of the Independents, the Lib Dems lost the following year's election but returned to power two years later under Carl Minns, after Ms Butterworth had initially stepped down to be succeeded by Dave Woods.

Current Hull Lib Dem leader Abi Bell said: "As a local councillor for more than 15 years, Simone knows how to get things done and how to fight people's corner.

"She is independently minded and not afraid to say what she thinks.

"Her extensive experience in the public and voluntary sectors means she will be perfectly placed to hit the ground running as our new police and crime commissioner."

The election will take place in November.