Weston pulls out of police election (From Somerset County Gazette)

Weston pulls out of police election

10:12am Monday 2nd July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Falklands veteran Simon Weston has pulled out of the race to become one of the UK's first high-powered civilian police bosses.

Mr Weston said he was withdrawing from the elections for the £100,000-a-year job of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for South Wales because he was becoming disillusioned and the campaign was "too political".

Writing on Twitter, he said: "With regret pulling out of the PCC role for South Wales. Became disillusioned by the fact it was getting 2 political & not serving the people."

His decision to pull out of the elections was confirmed by his spokesman.

The commissioners, who will be elected in November, will have the power to set police budgets, decide policing priorities and hire and fire chief constables.

Mr Weston, 50, a father of three and a former Welsh Guardsman, was badly burned when the Sir Galahad was destroyed in 1982 during the Falklands conflict.

He suffered 46% burns on his body and underwent 70 separate major operations or surgical procedures during a slow recovery.

He overcame his injuries and went on to forge a new career as a charity worker, writer of children's books and after-dinner speaker.

When he announced his decision to stand in February, he urged others to follow his example to stop ageing politicians taking the roles.