Iraq veteran to run for police commissioner

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The Iraq war veteran Tim Collins has revealed that he plans to stand as one of Britain's new elected police commissioners.

Collins, a former colonel who became well-known for his inspirational eve-of-battle address to his men in the Royal Irish Regiment, is putting himself forward for selection as a Conservative candidate. He hopes to become a Police and Crime Commissioner in Kent, where he lives.

The commissioners will have the power to hire and fire chief constables as they replace the existing police authorities.

The former officer, who was born in Belfast, said he was inspired by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. PA