A Conservative who was involved in a row with the top brass of Kent Police has moved a step closer to overseeing the force.

Medway councillor Craig Mackinlay was chosen as the party's candidate for Kent's first police commissioner during a final selection meeting at the Hundred of Hoo School this afternoon.

The election for the role, which involves holding the force to account and setting its budget and priorities, will take place on November 15.

Cllr Mackinlay, a chartered accountant and magistrate from Chatham, will vie for the role with Labour's candidate, Ashford councillor Harriet Yeo.

He beat off competition from two other candidates - Jan Berry, a former chairman of the Police Federation union, and Francois Gordon, a former ambassador - at a series of selection meetings in Canterbury, Tonbridge and Hoo.

Cllr Mackinlay fell out with Kent Police in 2010 over special constable David Craggs, who was elected but told he couldn't hold both roles.

There are still tensions within the KPA, which the commissioner will replace when voting takes place in November.

Commissioners will not have operational control of forces but will oversee what they do.

For more on Kent's police commissioner candidates, go to our special report.