Alison Hernandez investigated over expenses

Devon and Cornwall's new police and crime commissioner is facing calls to stand aside, while she is investigated by another police force over allegations she failed to properly declare campaign expenses in last year's General Election.

Alison Hernandez was the Conservative Party's Election Agent for Torbay. Now the expenses forms that she signed, and the returns of three other Conservative Agents in Devon and Cornwall, are being investigated.

Mrs Hernandez was elected to her new job on Friday, prompting the Chief Constable to today announce his force won't investigate her, or any of the others under suspicion, to avoid a conflict of interest.

Ms Hernandez would not go on camera today - but she released a statement saying:

"As the election agent, I made a return of election expenses as required by law. The Party's national bus tour was authorised and paid for by CCHQ (Tory head office), was intended to promote the Party's success in the General Election and did not form part of the local election expenses."