They get everywhere : "UK Police commissioner candidate bankrolled by US neo-cons"
From the Independent newspaper, Monday, 22nd October.
Commissioner candidate bankrolled by US neo-cons
"A leading independent candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner has been bankrolled by a right-wing think US think-tank committed to the privatisation of public services. The revelation, which has led to the resignation of Mervyn Barrett's campaign team in Lincolnshire over the weekend, comes amid growing unease about next month's elections.
Former Metropolitan Police chief Ian Blair urged the public to boycott the commissioner vote, as lack of interest threatens to keep turnout below 20 per cent.
Mr Barrett parted company with his campaign team following the revelation that he had been receiving money from the Fund for the New American Century - an organisation that shares the ideology and staff as a now-defunct neo-con think tank credited with helping persuade President George W Bush to wage war in Iraq.
Rivals in the Lincolnshire race previously raised questions about the source of funds for Mr Barrett's slick campaign, which is believed to have cost up to £50,000. Independent candidates do not have to reveal the source of their donations until after the ballot."
The British police force is up in arms at the moment over government plans to hive off parts of the service to private interests. At the weekend Eton-educated government minister Andrew Mitchell finally resigned a month after he admitted to swearing at police officers who would not let him through the main gate with his bicycle at Downing Street. It's also claimed in police reports that Mitchell called one officer a "pleb", although he denied making this comment. Swearing at a police officer is a public order office in the UK and for anyone else would have led to arrest, a fine, and possibly a court appearance.
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