THE GROUP responsible for overseeing Wiltshire's criminal justice system is expected to appoint a temporary chairman next week. 

The move follows the difficulties in electing a new police and crime commissioner for the county.

Conservative Jonathon Seed, who won the election with over 100,000 votes, was unable to take up the post after it emerged an old drink driving conviction disqualified him from the role.

Among the police and crime commissioner's responsibilities is chairing the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board. The group is made up of organisations like the police, Crown Prosecution Service, probation service and the courts, which play a part in delivering justice in the county.

The board's terms of reference says the PCC, as chairman, is expected to bring the organisations together and "address cross-cutting issues". Currently, that includes things like the backlog of court cases caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokeswoman for the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner said the board would meet next week, when it would look to elect an interim chairman "in line with its terms of reference". 

“The board is a partnership board and will continue to deliver its existing strategy to improve the criminal justice system, services for victims and to support the recovery from the impact of Covid,” she said.