JONATHON Seed has confirmed he has withdrawn from the race to become Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner. 

It follows reports that the Conservative Party HQ told him he would be disbarred from the position if he were elected on Monday, due to a past driving conviction. 

The conviction for an imprisonable offence would automatically disqualify him from the role. 

In a statement, Mr Seed claimed he had declared the 30 year old driving conviction to the party in his applications for the role. The Conservative Party is yet to comment.

READ MORE: Current police commissioner and candidates react as Jonathon Seed pulls out of race

Full statement

Mr Seed said: "I can confirm that I have today withdrawn my candidacy for the post of Police Crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon.

"To the best of my knowledge and belief when I applied for, and became the Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for the Conservative Party in Wiltshire and Swindon, I was an eligible candidate. I have declared my thirty-year-old driving conviction to the Party in my applications both to be a Parliamentary candidate and more recently a PCC candidate.

READ MORE: Reports that Jonathon Seed could be disqualified from PCC office

"Party officials confirmed my belief that my offence did not disqualify me. I have now been advised that this is not the case, and that I am disqualified as a PCC candidate. I have therefore withdrawn.

"I am bitterly disappointed that I will not be able to take up the post if I were to be elected. I wish the successful candidate every success in the role.

"I will continue with my work as a local councillor and within the local community, to which I have dedicated my life for the past 20 years."

Mr Seed was re-elected to Wiltshire Council as a ward councillor for Melksham Without West & Rural on Saturday.