A letter from the chief executive of the office of the police and crime commissioner revealed allegations against Jason Ablewhite are of a ‘criminal nature’.

According to a letter sent by the chief executive of the office of the police and crime commissioner, Dorothy Gregson, to members of the Cambridgeshire police and crime panel the allegation had been assessed as being potentially criminal.

Part of the letter, sent to the local democracy service, by panel chairman Edward Leigh read: "On the 6th November 2019, [Dorothy Gregson, chief executive of the OPCC] received communication from Cambridgeshire Constabulary in relation to an allegation regarding the commissioner which they had assessed to be of a criminal nature. It is on that basis that later the same day I formally notified the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) of a referral in respect of the commissioner.

"In accordance with the panel's complaint procedure, I am referring this matter to the panel to record as a complaint under rhe Elected Local Policing Bodies (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2012 in respect of the commissioner. As set out in the panel's complaint procedure, as I am satisfied that the subject matter of the complaint is being dealt with by means of criminal proceedings I have not enclosed details of the referral."

Mr Leigh said the potential for the allegation to be of a criminal nature is the reason the complaint has been passed straight to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Mr Leigh said the police and crime panel is making plans to meet on November 27, or a similar date, to appoint an acting police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The role does not automatically fall to the current deputy chief commissioner, Ray Bisby.

Mr Leigh said he was made aware of the resignation on Monday, but was told on November 8 that a complaint had been received and passed to the IOPC.

The IOPC said in a statement: "The IOPC has started an independent investigation following a referral about a public complaint into the conduct of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire."

The office of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Crime Commissioner said in a statement earlier today: "A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

"Jason Ablewhite has tendered his resignation as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

"It would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment."

The police and crime commissioner's office has declined to comment any further.