A FORMER senior police officer has called for more details to be made public after the Mail revealed the deputy police and crime commissioner was caught using his mobile phone while driving.
Paul Robinson was caught using his phone behind the wheel at the Humber Bridge.
The East Riding councillor has since issued an apology in which he said he "bitterly regrets" his actions.
Former chief superintendent Keith Hunter, who stood for selection as the Labour police and crime commissioner candidate, only to be narrowly defeated by Lord Prescott, has asked for the full details to be made public.
He said: "In the circumstances as reported there is likely to be genuine public concern, so it's only right and proper that the full facts are made known to allow proper scrutiny of the whole incident, including any decision- making process, to ensure it was the same as would occur for any other member of the public.
"As the person alleged to have been involved in this incident has just been appointed to a high-profile role by his friend, and as both are charged with overseeing the operation of Humberside Police, it is essential there is a degree of independence in this process to ensure the maintenance of confidence in both the force and the office of the police and crime commissioner.
"As this alleged incident has come to light during the selection process for a new chief constable, there is an added dimension and urgency to this and the police and crime panel may feel it appropriate to exercise their role of scrutiny."
The calls for further details to be released come after Mr Robinson said he was given "suitable words of advice by a senior officer" after being spotted using his phone on the Humber Bridge on November 29.
Mr Hunter also reinforced the work the police are doing to crack down on drivers using a mobile phone while at the wheel.
He said: "Using a mobile phone while driving is a serious matter and one that has led to a number of tragic incidents and deaths.
"It is not like a minor infringement of speed restrictions due to a lapse in concentration, but a deliberate act in contravention of a law designed for the safety of everyone.
"In my experience, it is an offence for which people are usually either prosecuted or issued a fixed penalty notice and have penalty points awarded against them."
Details of any prosecution against Mr Robinson, who took on the £45,000-a-year job in December, have not yet been released but Mr Hunter has warned people to take this lack of information with a pinch of salt.
He said: "In any case, where it is alleged someone has broken the law, people should not jump to conclusions as the full facts are rarely known."
*After this story was published on the Mail's website this morning, Humberside Police contacted the Mail with the following statement: "Humberside Police investigated concerns brought to our attention by a member of public relating to an alleged motoring offence which happened on November 29. A formal complaint was not made however. "The circumstances were investigated by a senior traffic officer and the recommended action was independently reviewed, as is our policy. The driver was given suitable words of advice as a result. For offences of this nature where there is an absence of a formal complaint, this is the normal outcome."