Lord John Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, who was Deputy Commissioner of the Met police from 1998 to 2000, has reiterated his view that the role of Police and Crime Commissioner should be scrapped.

Lord Stevens was speaking ahead the by-election on July 18 to decide who will be Northumbria’s next PCC. The vote comes after Dame Vera Baird QC announced she was standing down.

The Liberal Democrats have selected Gateshead councillor Jonathan Wallace, who started his campaign by calling for the PCC role to be scrapped, while Alnwick councillor Robbie Moore is the Conservative candidate. Northumberland county councillor Georgina Hill will stand as an Independent candidate, while Newcastle councillor Kim McGuinness will stand for Labour.