A Furness parliamentary candidate and a police chief have clashed over a letter regarding the policing of major events in Cumbria on June 8.

The Labour police, fire and crime, commissioner (PFCC) David Allen accused the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell of making ‘not particularly helpful’ comments regarding the policing of a series of events on June 8.

In response Mr Fell said: “I’m  frankly baffled as to why the Labour PFCC has chosen to politicise this during a general election.”

On June 8 a number of events took place across Cumbria including Dave Day, Appleby Horse Fair, The Great North Swim, The Cumberland Show, various D-Day events and a protest by environmental campaigners at the proposed coal mine in West Cumbria.

In May, Mr Fell penned a letter to Cumbria Constabulary Chief Constable Rob Carden to say he had ‘concerns’ over the resources required on that weekend.

Mr Fell added in the letter that he hoped for that weekend Cumbria Police would receive additional support from other forces across the North West.

The letter said: “I do believe that these two events running on the same weekend in the same county, is an exceptional circumstance, which could cause major issues without additional support.”

Cumbria PFCC David Allen said he thought Mr Fell’s comments were ‘not particularly helpful’ and showed a ‘lack of understanding’ as to how the police and other services work together.

In response to the letter, Mr Fell said: “I’m frankly baffled as to why the Labour PCC has chosen to politicise this during a General Election.

“I simply passed on a request from the Council and an offer of assistance given the challenge of keeping the roads clear and people safe on an incredibly busy day for local emergency services.

“Dave Day was amazing and it was wonderful to see Barrow shown in such a positive light.”

The letter from the PFCC also paid tribute to the work of the police, the fire service and other partners on June 8.

It said: “Obviously, the two services I have oversight over, Police & Fire, are my concern but they and the other partners involved in every event on June 8 can and should be justifiably proud of their work, actions and activity.

“This was an incredible day of activity and done well. I am, having seen it first hand on the day, incredibly proud of the work done by all involved in every event on June 8.  It is what makes Cumbria a fantastic place to work, live and thrive (and be incredibly safe to do so).”

Standing for election in Barrow and Furness are Mr Fell, Michelle Scrogham for Labour, Barry Morgan for Reform UK, Lisa Morgan for the Party Of Women, Adrian Waite for the Liberal Democrats and Lorraine Wrennall for the Green Party.