Councillor Jason Ablewhite has confirmed that he will continue in his post as leader of Huntingdonshire District Council while he campaigns to become Cambridgeshire’s next police and crime commissioner.

Conservative Cllr Ablewhite was selected to stand for the role by party colleagues in a closed-doors meeting held in South Cambridgeshire on Thursday night, following a lengthy selection process.

The election for the next commissioner is scheduled to take place in May next year and will see a new incumbent in the post following the decision by Sir Graham Bright not to stand again. In a statement released by Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Ablewhite confirmed that he would continue to serve as leader of the council until next May, when he will face election.

He is also chairman of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Police and Crime Panel and chairman of the East of England Local Government Association.

Cllr Ablewhite said: “I am humbled to have been selected, and if elected promise to protect our frontline policing, work with all partners in the public sector to ensure efficiency and continue to support the vulnerable and victims of crime.”

Also confirmed as standing for election are Nick Clarke, of UKIP, and Rupert Moss-Eccardt, of the Liberal Democrats.