Labour police official accuses Tory opponent of being 'from the far right'

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said Jay Singh-Sohal, who is bidding for the role at next month's election, held "some most extreme views" and questioned his attitude towards women and "poorer people".

Mr Singh-Sohal, a British Army Reserve Officer who is of Indian heritage, accused the PCC of making "totally false slanderous attacks" and demanded an apology.

Former Government minister Mr Jamieson, who is retiring next month, made the remarks at the online launch of Labour candidate Simon Foster's campaign on April 8.

Speaking at the event, which was chaired by Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, the PCC said: "We must win this election, because we have the Tory candidate for the PCC who is from the far right and has some most extreme views from what I have seen.

"And profoundly they do worry me, that if he gets in that he should implement those and try to drag the police force back into the 1960s rather than the 21st century that we're in now.

"And some of those attitudes that prevailed in the 1960s, such as the attitudes towards women and girls, and the attitudes to poorer people those would then prevail in my view."

Mr Singh-Sohal, said: “I'm appalled that the Labour Police Commissioner should make these totally false slanderous attacks on me in a desperate attempt to influence the election.

"He has demeaned himself and damaged the office he holds with this gutter politics and should now apologise.

"I will continue my positive inclusive campaign for 'more police less politics' and not sink to this desperately low level.”

Eddie Hughes, the Conservative MP for Walsall North, said: "It is incredibly disappointing that having achieved virtually nothing during his time in office, the Labour PCC is now departing the role by falsely accusing the Conservative candidate of being far right when he is anything but.

"Jay is an outstanding member of the community and will make an excellent police and crime commissioner."

Mr Jamieson has since attempted to clarify his remarks:

In a statement he said: "My intention was to say he has a right wing agenda and is far to the right of Labour’s reforming agenda.

"I am worried his policies would make the streets of the West Midlands less safe."