A police and crime commissioner under investigation for an historic allegation has said he will not stand down.

Cleveland PCC Steve Turner has made clear he will remain in post while a historic investigation is overseen by the IOPC.

Mr Turner (Conservative) told local media he would not stand aside while the Independent Office for Police Conduct oversees the allegation of sexual assault dating back to the 1980s.

Mr Turner, who was elected Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner in May, added he has only been informed he faces an allegation.

He also claimed that the offence covers a period from when he was nine to 18 years of age and that he has received no details about the person, place or circumstances.

He also claimed details of the case had been leaked by political opponents.

Mr Turner had already resisted calls to resign after it emerged that he had been cautioned for a theft offence when he worked at a Teesside supermarket in the late 1990s.

This was revealed in Parliament under privilege by Middlesbrough’s Labour MP Andy McDonald.

The IOPC is set to appoint a force from outside the area to investigate the allegation to avoid conflicts of interest.

The PCC said: “My resignation is not the right thing to do in this instance.

“As a public figure, I accept the mental challenge this brings, but my family’s mental well-being should not have to be tested in this way.

“I do fully believe in English justice, and am committed to supporting the investigation and the process in its entirety, and am confident the investigation will go on to prove beyond doubt, that I am innocent, as I have not committed any such offence," he said.

“I have been advised that the investigation can take many months and potentially years, and I should not anticipate it being concluded until well into 2024.”

Mr Turner said he would remain in his post and not be forced to resign.

He added: “This is currently an allegation, and I cannot allow one anonymous allegation to bring into jeopardy the democratic process and the wishes of the public who took part in my election.

“To do so would create an incredibly dangerous precedent potentially creating political carnage across the entire country."