THE Conservatives have announced the new candidate they will be fielding for the Swindon and Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner re-election.

Philip Wilkinson has been selected to represent the Tories in the re-run of the Swindon and Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday, August 19.

The previous candidate, Jonathon Seed, was barred from taking up the role after a historic drink-driving conviction came to light the day before the ballot count. An investigation by Thames Valley Police into the matter is on-going.

“It is a huge honour to have been selected as the Conservative Candidate for the forthcoming election,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“I am very much looking forward to persuading residents across Wiltshire that voting for me on August 19 means that they will see firm but fair policing, with a focus on preventing crime and ensuring there is no place for those who seek to commit crimes in our communities.”

Mr Wilkinson served in the British Army for 31 years with the Royal Artillery, the Commando and Parachute Brigades and Special Forces before leaving to become a senior research fellow at King’s College London in 2000.

A Conservative spokesman said: “For the last 20 years he has worked at the highest levels of government in Rwanda, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and from 2016 until 2019 with the President of Somalia.

"For the last 25 years, he has lived with his family in the Pewsey Vale.”

More to follow.