Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has written to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, to ask him to give an assurance that the police in Gwent will not be manipulated and politicised by Conservative Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

 Last week, the Prime Minister sought to launch his election campaign in Wakefield with a large group of police trainees standing behind him.  As the Chief Constable for the West Yorkshire force made clear afterwards, the police had been mis-led by Boris Johnson as to the purpose of the press event.  If he had known that the Prime Minister was going to make overtly political statements, he would not have given permission for police trainees to be used in this way.

Wayne David said, “Unfortunately, Boris Johnson will stoop to any level in an attempt to gain a political advantage.  Last week, in Wakefield, he clearly tried to use police trainees in a political stunt.  I want to make sure that anything similar does not happen in Gwent.

“I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent and I have asked for a categorical assurance that police officers and trainees in Gwent will not be used by Boris Johnson, or anyone else.  These are dark times in British politics with an extreme right-wing politician seeking to undermine democracy and use police officers for his own political ends.  I want the PCC for Gwent to make it clear that in Gwent at least any attempt to manipulate and use the police will not be allowed.”