A scandalous request for a photo op has sparked a formal hearing! Leicestershire and Rutland's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Rupert Matthews, is in hot water after allegedly asking a police officer to arrange a controversial election campaign photo.
Here's the juicy detail: Matthews, in an apparent nod to Russian President Vladimir Putin's infamous shirtless horse-riding photos, wanted a similar image for his election leaflet. But here's where it gets controversial—he asked a serving police officer to help make it happen.
The BBC obtained a leaked report revealing that Matthews sent an unsolicited email to the officer, requesting assistance in organizing the photo with a horse. This has led to a complaint, which was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC investigated and found no evidence of a criminal offense, but the matter is far from settled. The Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Police and Crime Panel's complaints sub-committee will meet on Wednesday to determine the complaint's resolution.
The complaint, filed on September 4, 2025, alleges that Matthews' request encouraged an offense and constituted misconduct in public office. It's a delicate situation, as the request involved a serving officer's participation in promotional election material.
Matthews, who switched from the Conservatives to Reform UK in 2025, has a history of interactions with the officer in question, but his fear of horses is well-known. His office claims he would never willingly work with horses, yet the request for the photo op remains a contentious issue.
This story raises questions about the boundaries between political campaigns and police involvement. What do you think? Is this a harmless campaign strategy or a misuse of police resources? Share your thoughts in the comments!
