Police Panel to Meet Behind Closed Doors Over PCC ‘Putin-Style’ Photo Complaint
By Local Democracy Reporter Wednesday, 21 January 2026
A sub-committee of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel will meet today to determine the fate of a misconduct complaint against Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews.
The hearing, scheduled for 2:30 pm at County Hall in Glenfield, follows allegations that Mr Matthews (Reform UK) requested a police officer’s help to stage an election campaign photograph inspired by a famous topless photoshoot of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The controversy centers on an "unsolicited" email allegedly sent by Mr Matthews to a serving officer within Leicestershire Police. According to a leaked report, the PCC is accused of asking the officer to coordinate a photoshoot featuring him on horseback for use in his election literature.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) initially assessed the referral, which included potential allegations of Intentionally encouraging or assisting an offence
While the IOPC confirmed it found no evidence that a criminal offence had been committed, the watchdog returned the matter to the local Panel to decide on an appropriate non-criminal resolution.
Despite the high-profile nature of the case, today’s meeting in the Goscote Committee Room is expected to be held almost entirely in private.
The Panel has indicated that the press and public will likely be excluded under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972. Officials have stated that a decision was made that discussing the specific details of the complaint is "not in the public interest" at this stage, a move often used when "exempt information" regarding an individual's private details is being considered.
Rupert Matthews, who has served as PCC since 2021, made national headlines last year when he defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK, becoming the party's first-ever PCC.
A spokesperson for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) confirmed the report was referred to the IOPC in September 2025 in accordance with statutory requirements.
"The IOPC confirmed that it did not find evidence to indicate a criminal offence may have been committed and returned the matter to the police and crime panel," the spokesperson said.
The Complaints Sub-committee today has several options, ranging from taking no further action to recommending a formal apology or a requirement for further training.
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