The Conservative Party is expected to name its official candidate for the election of Lancashire’s first Police and Crime Commissioner within the next fortnight.
Ribble Valley businessman Kevin Horkin announced he had been knocked out of the contest to become the Tories’ choice for the new post, earlier this week.
The remaining hopefuls as Tory candidates are thought to be Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver, fellow county councillor Tim Ashton and former police officer Sam Chapman.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will be responsible for the duties of the current 17-person police authority and earn a £85,000 a year salary.
The PCC will set the budget for Lancashire Police and hold the Chief Constable to account, with the ultimate ability to have him or her dismissed.
The party will hold a final selection meeting on July 14.
Mr Horkin, a Clitheroe town and borough councillor, was the first person to declare his candidacy in January.
He withdrew from the contest as he said he believed it was “highly unlikely” an independent candidate would win.
He branded the process “a bit of a fiasco” after claiming that eight people were selected by Conservative Central Office as potential candidates in Lancashire, but only four turned up for formal interviews.
The Labour candidate is expected to be one of County Coun Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire Police Authority member Ibrahim Master or Blackpool Coun Mark Atkinson.
A public vote to choose the PCC will be held on November 15.
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