Hampshire Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Flick Quits

Former Portsmouth South MP Flick Dummond has quit just two months after her controversial appointment as Hampshire Deputy Crime Commissioner. The deposed Member of Parliament’s appointment – by fellow Tory Michael Lane – was criticised as nepotism in many quarters but it was Lane’s arrogance and pig-headedness that is said to have seen the relationship quickly fall apart. Crime Commisioner Michael Lane, who is on a handsome salary of £85,000, issued a statement on the departure of his £65,000-a-year deputy so soon after her appointment saying, “‘The relationship between a PCC and his deputy has to be close and, unfortunately, it has become apparent this could not happen in this case. Following talks, we have both come to the decision that this is the best course of action to take.” Despite a diplomatic statement by Ms Drummond saying, “Sometimes it is not possible to build a professional relationship between two people” sources reveal she found Lane ‘impossible’ to work with. Sources inside the Crime Commissioners Office in St Georges Chambers, Winchester, told us that it became apparent almost immediately that Lane and Drummond were two very different people. “Mike has a very controlling personality, with a hubristic belief in his own self-proclaimed talents,” the source, who asked not to be named, said. That rubbed Flick up from the start.” “Flick is a diplomatic and easy-going person and was a pleasure to work with. But it was blatantly obvious she realised straight-off that Mike’s pig-headedness and arrogance would make it impossible for her to work alongside.” As well as creating the new position of deputy on £65,000, Lane has also controversially appointed a staff officer, Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo, on a whopping £70,000-a-year. Critics including Spotted Solent have pointed out the five-figure salaries, totaling over £200k, could instead supply invaluable bobbies on the beat rather than petty bureaucrats living it up in their plush Winchester chambers. The position of Crime Commissioner was created in 2012 by David Cameron’s Coalition government.