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Stephen Graham Mold (born January 1968) is an English Conservative politician who served as the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Northamptonshire from 2016 to 2024. He was elected to the post on 5 May 2016, succeeding the previous incumbent, Adam Simmonds.[1] He was re-elected in 2021.[2] He was succeeded by Danielle Stone, the Labour and Co-operative Party candidate, after he did not stand in the 2024 election.
Stephen Mold | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner (until 2018) Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (since 2019) | |
| In office 12 May 2016 – 8 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Adam Simmonds |
| Succeeded by | Danielle Stone |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 1968 (age 56) Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Profession | Politician |
Early life
editStephen Mold was born and raised in the United Kingdom. His educational background includes studies in business and management. Mold had a career in the private sector, focusing on technology, leadership and management.[citation needed]
In the 2010 general election, he was the Conservative candidate for Derby North, losing by 613 votes.[3] He had stood unsuccessfully in the 2007 Northampton Borough Council election. He was elected as a district councillor in South Northamptonshire in 2015 but resigned in 2016 after he was elected as police and crime commissioner.[4]
Election and mandate
editMold was elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Northamptonshire in May 2016.[5] He was re-elected in May 2021.[6] On 1 January 2019, governance of the Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) transferred to Mold as the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner after the Home Secretary approved the Local Business Case to transfer governance arrangements from Northamptonshire County Council.[7]
Controversies
editAs PFCC, Mold purchased a building at Earls Barton for use as a repair facility for police and fire service vehicles. Purchased for £3.3 million in 2021, the office of the PFCC spent a further £1.3 million on VAT, stamp duty, and design work. In 2023 the building was put up for sale at a loss.[8] The aborted project wasted almost £400,000.[9]
In July 2023, Mold appointed Nicci Marzec to the position of interim fire chief for Northamptonshire following the resignation of Mark Jones. The appointment was criticised by the Fire Brigades Union due to Marzec's lack of "operational understanding of the role".[10] Marzec stood down after ten days in office, with Mold citing that their "friendship" had "become the story".[11] However, other media outlets reported that the two were in a long-term relationship, forcing Mold to issue a denial.[12]
In March 2024, Mold announced he would not stand for re-election in the upcoming May election, after a scandal where he used a sexist slur against the new fire chief for Northamptonshire [13]
References
edit- ^ Wildman, Sam (6 May 2016). "Stephen Mold declared new Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner". Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. Johnston Press. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
- ^ "Elections 2021: Tories win Northamptonshire police commissioner vote". BBC. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "BBC News – Election 2010 – Constituency – Derby North". news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Northamptonshire's Police and crime commissioner steps down from council seat". Daventry Express. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Conservative Stephen Mold elected Northants PCC". BBC News. 11 April 2016.
- ^ "Elections 2021: Tories win Northamptonshire police commissioner vote". BBC News. 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Transparency – Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service".
- ^ "Northants police commissioner's £3.3m unused building to be sold at a loss". BBC. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Ward, Sarah (19 September 2024). "Exclusive: Disgraced police commissioner's aborted garage workshop project wastes almost £400,000". NN Journal. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Union calls on Northamptonshire PFCC to resign after interim fire chief quits". BBC. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Nicci Marzec: Interim fire chief steps down amid friendship speculation". BBC. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Stephen Mold: "I'm not in a relationship with Nicci Marzec"". BBC. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ "Northants commissioner Stephen Mold 'will not stand again'". BBC. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
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