The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said a member of the public alleged that Sussex PCC Katy Bourne made a false statement in a social media post during her election campaign that she had “not claimed any allowances or expenses” during her four year term as PCC.  

The complaint, by self-proclaimed Shadow Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Taylor, claims that she had filed expense claims of approximately £385 between November 2012 and October 2013, according to the IPCC. 

The matter has been referred to the IPCC by the Sussex Police and Crime Panel. 

Mrs Bourne, on an annual salary of £85,000, has a list of expenses published on her website. It includes 12 claims for train fares between Sussex and London totalling £385.50 between January and September 2013, but the document says: “Although the regulations permit, the PCC stopped claiming any additional expenses or allowances from October 2013 until the end of her first term of office.” 

On May 4, 2016 she reportedly posted a Facebook status which read: “I have not claimed any allowances or expenses during my term in office. #PublicMoney” 

Mrs Bourne has held a number of national roles during her first term of office, including being a member of the College of Policing’s governance board and PCCs often hold meetings in London. 

It is not known whether the claims were in relation to her national role or relate to functions of the Sussex PCC. 

The staggeringly low claims are in stark contrast and are a fraction of other PCCs` expenses. Several PCCs have faced rebuke over claims for travel within their force areas but Mrs Bourne funds local expenses entirely from her own pocket, according to the expenses shown on her official website. 

The IPCC will however investigate whether there has been a criminal breach of Section 106 of the Representation of the People`s Act 1983 under the auspices of the Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012. 

Mrs Bourne said of the accusation: “I am committed to maximum transparency in all public office roles and will welcome the independent assessment of the IPCC.”  

IPCC deputy chair Sarah Green added: “As Mrs Bourne is a police and crime commissioner, the IPCC will investigate whether she made a false statement during the 2016 election regarding her expenses while serving as the PCC. 

“On completion of the investigation we will decide whether any matters should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for its consideration.”  

The Tory politician was first elected in November 2012 and was re-elected in May 2016. 

She is not averse to paying her own expenses – a trend she set when seeking to become PCC back in 2012. 

Sussex`s first police commissioner bankrolled her election victory in that year with a reported £20,000 of her own money, spending more than eight times her nearest rival. 

The 2012 second place Labour Party candidate Godfrey Daniel spent £4,600.