Greater Manchester mayor candidates clash over GMP at M.E.N. hustings

Andy Burnham hit back at criticism of his record on policing at hustings hosted by the Manchester Evening News today (April 18). The Labour mayor who is hoping to be re-elected for a third term next month clashed with other candidates when quizzed about Greater Manchester Police.

Candidates from all five parties in the race to be Greater Manchester's mayor took part in the event at the M.E.N's headquarters. Mr Burnham, for Labour, was joined by Conservative candidate Laura Evans; the Green Party's Hannah Spencer; Lib Dem Jake Austin; and Reform UK's Dan Barker.

They were quizzed by ME.N. readers, first time voters and campaigners on transport, housing and health. They were also asked about the Clean Air Zone - the controversial scheme to charge some motorists in a bid to bring down pollution which is still under review.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester mayor hustings LIVE: Candidates quizzed by M.E.N. readers

Mr Burnham told the audience there would be no road charging introduced in Greater Manchester if he returns as mayor. But, unlike some of his opponents, he said he would keep cameras that were installed for the scheme in place to help police solve crime.

It came after the Conservative and Reform UK candidates said that, if elected, they would take the cameras down. They criticised the amount of money spent on the stalled scheme - but Mr Burnham said it was the government that forced councils to introduce it.

The most heated exchange, however, came after a question about policing. Veronica Strain, an M.E.N. reader who attended the hustings, asked the candidates how they would tackle issues at GMP, in particular, how women are treated.

Mr Burnham defended his record as police and crime commissioner, citing the 'turn around' at GMP since the last mayoral election when the force was still in special measures. He also spoke of the recruitment of 1,623 more police officers since he was first elected.

Conservative candidate Laura Evans said poor management was the real reason GMP was found to be failing. She accused the mayor of having 'offset' and 'abdicated' his role as police and crime commissioner, arguing he should 'lead from the front'.

She claimed the new chief constable at GMP was imposed by the government, not Mr Burnham. The Labour mayor hit back, saying that was 'incorrect' and claimed it was his decision to remove the former police chief and that he chose a successor.

As police and crime commissioner, Mr Burnham appointed Stephen Watson as GMP's new chief constable in March 2021. It came four months after GMP announced that Ian Hopkins had resigned from the top job following the force being placed in special measures.

Like Mrs Evans, Reform UK candidate Dan Barker also said that he would take responsibility for police and crime rather than delegate it to a deputy mayor, as Mr Burnham has. He also criticised delays to a report on the treatment of women and girls in police custody.

The inquiry led by Dame Vera Baird KC was commissioned last summer after a Sky News report into the experiences of three women being held in custody by GMP. It was set to be published in the autumn, but was pushed back after more complainants came forward.

Mr Barker told the hustings the fact the report has been delayed until after the election 'stinks'. But Mr Burnham said the work was not complete before purdah - the pre-election period during which such reports can not be published - began in March.

Asked whether he is happy with the position GMP is at now, Mr Burnham told the hustings: "No, not happy, because it has to improve further. But what we do have now is named neighbourhood teams across Greater Manchester, a new neighbourhood policing structure, we have overall crime down. But I recognise that trust in the police needs to be higher than it currently is. I recognise that."

Lib Dem candidate Jake Austin said trust in policing is at an 'all-time low' and needs to be rebuilt. He praised the 'good' police officers, of which he said there are many, but argued that there is a cultural problem that must be tackled with scrutiny by the mayor.

Green candidate Hannah Spencer said that she would set up an independent body to look at complaints against serving officers, arguing that the force should not be 'marking their own homework'. She also pledged to reinstate GMP's serious sexual offences unit.

All candidates representing political parties at the upcoming mayoral election were invited to the M.E.N. hustings. Two more candidates were also expected to be on the ballot, but last week it was revealed that the only independent will be Nick Buckley.

The vote is set to take place on May 2, at the same time as the local elections. The results are due to be announced on May 4.