DEVON and Cornwall’s newly elected police and crime commissioner, Alison Hernandez is faced with allegations she failed to declare campaign expenses in Torbay during the 2015 general election.

The allegations relate to Hernandez’s position as agent for the Torbay Conservative candidate Kevin Foster, and her failing to register the accommodation costs of party activists who were driven to marginal constituencies in so-called ‘battle buses’ - coaches painted with Conservative livery.

Hernandez was responsible for Foster’s official expense return, detailing all costs the party had incurred. She claims the cost of the buses was part of national, not local spending.

A spokesperson for the Conservative party explained that the mistake was due to ‘an administrative error’ and that ‘this is something that we have already brought to the attention of the Electoral Commission.’

The spokesperson continued: ‘The party always took the view that our national ‘battle buses’ was part of the national return - and we would have no reason not to declare it as such, given that the party was some millions below the national spending threshold.

‘Other political parties ran similar vehicles which visited different parliamentary constituencies as part of their national campaigning.’

Hernandez said: ‘The party’s national bus tour was authorised and paid for by Conservative Campaign Headquarters, it was intended to promote the party’s success in the general election and did not form part of the local election expenses.’

Several local politicians, including leader of Plymouth City Council Tudor Evans and Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw have called for Hernandez to step aside until the investigation is over, arguing her position and the investigation represent a conflict of interest.

But South West Devon MP Gary Streeter was quick to point out that all dissent was coming from the Labour Party, saying: ‘I see no conflict. The police can investigate the battle bus story with no reference to her. The battle bus story relates to several areas, not just our region.

‘I wish her well in taking up her new duties. I am confident she will be a great success.’

Chief constable Shaun Sawyer released a statement on Monday saying: ‘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 also spoken with the chief executive of the office of the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Police who is also 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 impartiality in this matter.’

Sawyer added: ‘I want to work with the police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez. I’m sure she too would want to ensure there is complete impartiality and independence in this investigation - and therefore any influence that there will be any way a control or interest or taken in this by the PCC will be unacceptable to me, and I’m sure to her.’

Hernandez released a statement saying: ‘I have not been approached by the police or other agencies about this matter. I stand ready to assist with any enquiries that the police or any other agency wish to make.

‘I welcome the decision by Devon and Cornwall Police to transfer this matter to another police force. The transfer removes any suggestion that I could ever influence police action.

‘This issue has been reported for many weeks in the media. Clearly, the people of Devon and Cornwall did not let it affect their vote.

‘They have had faith in me to do this job so I intend to get on with it and not be distracted with other matters.’