Festus Akinbusoye: 'I have no interest in general election seat'

Festus Akinbusoye was elected to become Bedfordshire's police and crime commissioner in May 2021

A police and crime commissioner has told the BBC he will not stand as party candidate in the next general election.

Conservative Festus Akinbusoye stood in the Mid Bedfordshire by-election seat in October, but lost to Labour's Alistair Strathern.

He has confirmed he intends to stand for re-election in his current role in May.

Party selection for the role of police and crime commissioner is expected to take place next month.

Speaking on the Andy Collins breakfast show on BBC Three Counties Radio, Mr Akinbusoye said: "I have informed the powers that be, in my party, that I wish to be re-selected as crime commissioner, so I have no interest in standing at a general election.

"There are some really positive things happening in Bedfordshire, since I came into office, with a record number of police officers, the highest we've ever had before.

"We're keeping more of our new officers and also more of our experienced officers - I want to finish what I started and there's a lot more that needs to be done."

Festus Akinbusoye lost to Labour's Alistair Strathern in October's Mid Bedfordshire by-election

Police and crime commissioners are elected to oversee the work of their local police force and Mr Akinbusoye was first voted into the role in 2021.

Local elections will take place on 2 May across the East, including the election of three police and crime commissioners in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

In Hertfordshire, Conservative David Lloyd has already confirmed he will not stand again, whilst in the Thames Valley region - which covers Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire - incumbent Matthew Barber is seeking re-election.

In Mid Bedfordshire, the current MP Alistair Strathern has not been formally selected as the candidate for Labour yet, whilst Emma Holland-Lindsay for the Lib Dems - who finished third in October - previously told the BBC she would like to fight for the seat again.