Sunday 24 July 2022 01:27 AM Beergate crime tsar is caught in a cronyism row as allies take key roles in her ... trends now
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The police and crime commissioner embroiled in the ‘Beergate’ controversy that led to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner being investigated by the police is mired in claims of cronyism.
Two political allies who campaigned for Joy Allen when she stood as the Labour candidate for the role in Durham last year have since taken up influential posts in her office.
Her deputy, Nigel Bryson, who Mrs Allen has known for more than a decade after meeting at their local Labour branch, was appointed in November without the position being advertised or any formal recruitment process.
Keir Starmer pictured with Durham police and crime commissioner Joy Allen, who is facing claims of cronyism after it emerged two political allies have taken up posts in her office
Responding to criticism, Mrs Allen admitted that she had worked ‘hand in glove’ with Mr Bryson on her election campaign, adding: ‘I could go through the process but it would just be possibly going through the motions when I’ve got somebody who’s more or less the candidate of choice.’
Andrea Patterson, a former Labour county councillor, was appointed as anti-social behaviour champion in January by a panel on which Mrs Allen sat.
She was the only one of six applicants to be interviewed for the post – with a
