EDL police candidate to remain in election despite arrest

Kevin Carroll, prolific English Defence League member, and leader Tommy Robinson's right-hand man, will still be allowed to stand in elections for the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) despite being arrested on Saturday.

A British Freedom Party statement on their website said: “In contradiction to earlier reports, we can confirm that Kevin was not among EDL supporters stopped by police on the M1, but was arrested later whilst driving to his home. The police have no evidence against Kevin Carroll because he has committed no crime; their action appears to be a clumsy effort to discredit him in the run-up to the PCC election on November 15.”

Carroll has been bailed until November 30, and the charges against him are currently unknown.

According to Luton Today Carroll is one of four candidates for the new commissioner role, whose powers will include being able to appoint and dismiss the chief constables setting out a five-year police and crime plan, and publishing an annual report.

Saturday also saw the arrest of over 50 other members of the EDL en route to East London. All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, the Metropolitan Police said. Leader, Tommy Robinson, was also arrested on Saturday under suspicion of entering the US illegally, he has been remanded in custody until January, in what has been one of the largest crackdowns on the British far-right.