Michael Mates - Police Commissioner Candidacy

Police Commissioner Candidacy

In July 2012 Mates was selected as the Conservative candidate in the election for Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, notwithstanding his links to Asil Nadir. Senior members of his own Hampshire Conservative Party have called for him to step down. When confronted by Michael Crick of Channel 4 News, Mates has repeatedly refused to answer questions about a windfall he received having vacated a sitting tenancy at Dolphin Square, London, when an MP.

Mates is also known for his affiliation to disgraced former business tycoon Asil Nadir and the Polly Peck Empire. In the 1990s, when a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Office, Mates expressed his support for Nadir by infamously sending him a watch inscribed with the words 'don't let the buggers get you down'- a reference to an ongoing investigation into Nadir's fraudulent financial activities by British authorities. Mates was forced to resign as a result of his support and links with Nadir. Ultimately, in August of 2012 Nadir would be found guilty at the Old Bailey of fraud, and convicted of stealing nearly £29million. Despite this Mates has maintained his support for Nadir, even testifying in his defence at the Old Bailey. Nadir has donated over £400,000 to the Tory party.

Michael Mates has been reported to Hampshire Constabulary for Electoral Fraud under the Fraud Act 2006 by competitor Don Jerrard who is standing for the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party. The former lawyer wrote to the county’s Chief Constable claiming Mr Mates breached the 2006 Fraud Act by giving his address as a house where he rents rooms in Winchester. Parallel to this, Hampshire police confirmed two complaints of alleged racist language in Michael Mates' Election Statement were passed to the Thames Valley Police for investigation. Thames Valley Police are said to be getting ready to interview Mr Mates, but it is not known whether this will be done under caution. Michael Mates has denied the allegations, claiming he is the victim of a smear campaign.