Former council leader John Davies has withdrawn from the race to be the Conservative candidate bidding to become the first ever Dyfed-Powys Police Commissioner – but may still stand as an independent.

Cllr Davies had been considering joining the Tories and campaigning for selection as its representative to face a vote in November which will see police commissioners elected across the UK.

“I withdrew from the selection,” said Cllr Davies, former authority leader and ward representative for Cilgerran.

“I always said I did not know if I would stand as an independent or other wise. I am still considering standing as an independent. I have made up my mind that I won’t be standing as a political party member.

“The most important things are people and policing, not party politics,” he added.

Cllr Davies attended a selection meeting in Narberth last week, but said he withdrew his offer of joining the party and his potential candidacy that night.

“I wasn’t a member of the party, that was a big issue with them. I’ve always said this is about policing communities, not party politics, and I don’t think politicians should be influencing policing,”

he said.

“There is huge diversity here [Dyfed-Powys] the role of commissioner is quite a task. It does really require somebody who understands the variations that happen in that huge area.”

Cllr Davies has until September to put forward an independent nomination, but said his main priority remained representing his ward at County Hall and he had no ambitions to return to cabinet if he did not stand in November.

“I made a conscious decision that I do not participate in council matters other than looking after my own ward,” said Cllr Davies.

Labour has selected former AM Christine Gwyther as candidate for the Dyfed- Powys post.