LESS than a week after being elected as the new Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has found herself amid allegations of improper election spending.

Devon and Cornwall Police launched an initial investigation into claims that more than two dozen MPs failed to declare the cost of ‘battle buses’ and hotel bills during last year’s General Election.

Ms Hernandez was the election agent for Torbay’s Kevin Foster at the time, who is accused alongside other MPs Scott Mann in North Cornwall, George Eustice in Camborne and Redruth and Oliver Colvile in Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport.

Ms Hernandez was elected as the new PCC on Friday, May 6, taking over the job from fellow Conservative Tony Hogg.

Fewer than 4,000 votes separated Ms Hernandez from second-placed Labour rival Gareth Derrick.

Her stretch as PCC is due to begin today (Thursday, May 12) and will see her in charge of policing in the Westcountry for the next four years.

Ms Hernandez has promised a rethink on plans to close police stations. Calllington is one of those earmarked for closure as the force looks to shave £29-million from its budget.

Despite claims Ms Hernandez said she had not been approached by any authorities regarding an election fraud probe.

Following a programme aired by Channel 4 on April 20 and 21, Devon and Cornwall Police received allegations relating to improper spending returns in the 2015

general election.

Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: ‘I have decided that all allegations, irrespective of any constituency or any individual within Devon and Cornwall will be transferred to another force. I am therefore currently in discussion with other forces in respect of this.

‘I have spoken with the Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Police who is making arrangements in respect of the PCC Elect Alison Hernandez in order that any matters relating to her may also be transferred to another force.

‘It is imperative that the public and my workforce have confidence in this force in respect of transparency, integrity and importantly in this matter.’

PCC?Alison Hernandez said:’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, was intended to promote the Party’s success in the General Election and did not form part of the local election expenses.’