Leicestershire and Rutland's police and crime commissioner, who jumped ship to Reform UK, is holding a special meeting about the police and crime plan. 

Rupert Matthews made a surprise swap from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage's Reform UK last month and became the party's only serving police and crime commissioner. 

Now he has convened a special meeting for later this month and when the Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted his office to find out what the meeting was about, the following reply was received:  

"The agendas for panel meetings are set well in advance so special meetings such as this provide the opportunity for more topical issues to be discussed.   

"In this case, we understand the meeting will focus on the impact, if any, on the Police and Crime Plan as a result of the commissioner's move to the Reform UK Party." 

The Leicestershire and Rutland force has a police and crime plan covering the years from 2024 to 2029. It sets out the direction of the policing priorities. It is unclear whether with his change of party, Mr Matthews will want to make a change of direction for the plan. 

Usually, the police and crime panel meetings every two months and has a meeting scheduled for Monday 8th September with the special meeting two weeks later on September 22. 

Mr Matthews announced his departure from the Conservatives at one of Reform's media events. 

He said too many town centres were 'an apocalyptic wasteland of lawless Britain'; said there were too many foreigner nationals in prisons who should be deported and said the 'dark heart of wokeness must be cut out of the criminal justice system.' 

He is currently serving a second elected term and has former Conservative colleague Charlotte Chirico as his deputy.