Devon and Cornwall chief probed in expenses row

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A chief constable is being investigated over comments made about election expenses.

An outside force is carrying out a misconduct inquiry into Shaun Sawyer, of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

It follows a complaint relating to an interview the chief constable gave to the BBC about the declaration of general election expenses by Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez.

Mr Sawyer and Ms Hernandez both deny any wrongdoing.

More on the investigations, and other news

Conservative PCC Alison Hernandez is being investigated over allegations she failed to properly declare general election expenses when she was the agent for Kevin Foster in the Torbay constituency last year.

The complaint, made by the former Torbay MP, Adrian Sanders, relates to an interview Mr Sawyer gave the BBC in September.

In the interview he was asked about Alison Hernandez's case.

Mr Sawyer said: "There's going to have to be some recommendations about elections.

"But it's costing the taxpayer money that ideally would have been better spent elsewhere."

Mr Sanders said: "It's simply not his job to comment on another force's investigation into what are allegations of criminal offences."

Mr Sanders lost his seat to Kevin Foster, for whom Alison Hernandez was the election agent.

Sean Sawyer said he welcomed an independent investigation into the complaint and looked forward to hearing the outcome.