A FORMER York councillor who wants to stand for North Yorkshire's next Police Fire and Crime Commissioner has hit out at a requirement to stump up a £5,000 bond.

Anna Semlyen said she had thought it would be worth standing as an independent candidate until she found out about the bond, which was not returned unless she polled 5 per cent of first preferences.

The former Labour councillor for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe - who launched an erotic poetry channel on YouTube last year in a bid to beat lockdown boredom - branded the bond a 'Tory set up and democratic deficit.'

She said her manifesto would have been women's safety from sexual predators - rape, spiking, domestic violence- , 20mph & road danger reduction policing, 'plus Vision Zero - no road killed or serious injuries) and anti Police Bill.'

She also said: "I'd have made and tweeted rhyming, feminist poetry videos wearing police gear in a sexy way!

"I’ve a feminist sexual issues channel - Anna's Authentic Arts YouTube. It would have made headlines nationally, I’d have done interviews, it would have been good for women's rights and safety PR.

"After all, this election was triggered by the Sarah Everard tragedy!"

The by-election, which takes place on November 25, follows the resignation of Philip Allott over comments he made about women's safety after the murder of former York woman Sarah Everard.

Anna asked anyone who could help her pay the election bond to contact her at anna@yogainyork.co.uk before October 28.