NEWLY-ELECTED police commissioner Alison Hernandez’s poll victory has plunged her headlong into her first crisis.

The Devon and Cornwall PCC is being asked to ‘stand aside’ by political opponents while allegations over use of 2015 General Election campaign spending are investigated.

The shine has been taken off the former Torbay councillor’s win last Friday by demands that she suspend her new role while the expenses claims are probed.

Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer revealed earlier this week that any investigation will have to be carried out by another force.

He said: ‘I have decided that all allegations, irrespective of any constituency or any individual, within Devon and Cornwall will be transferred to another force.’

He added: ‘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 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.’

Alison Hernandez said she had not been approached by police or other agencies about the matter which prompted former bay MP Adrian Sanders to demand that she ‘stand aside’ for the duration of any inquiry.

The matter relates to the PCC’s role in submitting expenses to Tory MP Kevin Foster in last year’s general election campaign where he beat Mr Sanders.

The allegations centre around allegedly failing to register the accommodation costs of party activists involved in the ‘battle bus’ operation.

Alison Hernandez insisted: ‘I stand ready to assist with any inquiries 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.’ 

She added: ‘The party’s national bus tour was authorised and paid for by Conservative campaign HQ and was intended to promote the party’s success in the general election and did not form part of my local election expenses.’