THE Conservative candidate to be North Yorkshire’s first police and crime commissioner has been named as Julia Mulligan.

Mrs Mulligan had “overwhelming support” at the vote in Knaresborough, chair of the meeting Philip Allot said.

Mother-of-two Mrs Mulligan, who runs a Leeds marketing agency, had gone head-to-head with Thirsk-based Super Skills chief executive Peter Walker, a former North Yorkshire deputy chief constable.

Both presented their manifestos at today’s meeting in Knaresborough before a secret ballot.

York councillor Ruth Potter is Labour’s selection for the North Yorkshire Police position.

Elections for the new police and crime commissioners will be held across the UK in November, with the chosen candidates setting force budgets and having the power to hire and fire chief constables.

Mr Allot said about the vote: “There was a lot of excitement. She came back through and addressed the meeting to wild applause. The party united behind her.

“Both candidates were extremely professional.”

City of York Council Tory leader Ian Gillies, Sherburn-in-Elmet councillor Mike Jordan, Catterick Bridge councillor and Leeming Bar Services boss Carl Les, and Afghanistan veteran Colonel Father Andrew Lloyd had been previously in running for the post before a vote by senior North Yorkshire Conservatives.

Mrs Mulligan made an unsuccessful attempt to win the Leeds North West seat at the last General Election.