Brian Paddick may be Lib Dem candidate for Mayor
Fresh rumours appearing to be emanating from spin doctors at the Liberal Democrats imply that Brian Paddick, until his retirement, the most senior openly gay British police officer, may stand as a candidate for Mayor of London.
PinkNews.co.uk first reported the suggestions last May when the then Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, casually mentioned the possibility of standing for the post at the launch of the Way We Are Now, a collection of essays from gay community members.
He said: “As a serving policeman I cannot take any active part in politics and I have no plans to do so. In any case I haven’t been invited to stand by the Lib-Dems or anyone else.”
“I could apply to retire in November, but my contract lasts another two years, I have no firm intentions but, even if I was asked, I’m not sure I’d take it up,” he said.
A Liberal Democrat source reportedly told the Independent on Sunday that it was a “distinct possibility” that Mr Paddick could run as their candidate to fright the incumbant pro-gay Labour Mayor, Ken Livingstone.
Mr Livingstone was today celebrating at his anti-racism festival, Rise in Finsbury Park, north London.
Another Liberal Democrat source said that there was “no question of him [Mr Paddicck] being parachuted in”.
“He is a Liberal Democrat supporter and prominent in London,” a party spokesman said. “We are talking to quite a number of people.”
Earlier this month, Nicholas Boles, a gay Conservative seeking his party’s nomination to run against Mr Livingstone in next year’s election withdrew after being diagnosed with cancer.
The ‘foot in mouth’, gaffe prone MP, Boris Johnson is being considered as a candidate for the Tory nomination.
