Lord Prescott appeared on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning (listen here), and mentioned that the Policing Protocol meant Commissioners shouldn’t fetter a Chief Constable’s operational independence. The Guardian’s account is here. The Telegraph has comments here. The discussion around operational issues was still a bit muddy, and he was not pressed on his comments to the Independent, but instead accepted as the likely Labour candidate in Humberside, even though the selection process has not yet begun.

Dr. Tim Brain, former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire, said he hadn’t decided whether to stand, but thought the system was loaded for party politicians.

After the interview Prescott alleged on Twitter that he was “Surprised former Chief Const of Glos Tim Brain didn’t realise police founder Sir Robert Peel was a politician – former PM & Home Secretary!” Listeners to the broadcast will see that this is untrue – Dr Brain made specific reference to Robert Peel’s political office.