Police and Crime Commissioner Faces Investigation Over Putin-Style Photo Request
Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland, is under formal investigation following allegations that he requested a serving female police officer to organise a photoshoot on horseback, deliberately modelled on Vladimir Putin's famous topless picture. The £78,000-a-year commissioner reportedly sent an unsolicited email to the officer, asking for assistance in arranging the equestrian portrait for use in his upcoming election campaign materials.
Formal Complaint and IOPC Assessment
The controversial message was officially referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in September 2025. According to a leaked report obtained by the BBC, the complaint specifically alleged that Mr Matthews had intentionally encouraged or assisted an offence and committed misconduct in public office. The IOPC conducted a thorough assessment of the referral but ultimately concluded that there was insufficient evidence to indicate that a criminal offence may have been committed.
An IOPC spokesperson stated: 'Following a considered assessment of the referral, we returned the matter to the Panel to be dealt with as it deemed appropriate, as we did not find evidence to indicate a criminal offence may have been committed. The offences were alleged to have happened when a request was made to a serving police officer to participate in promotional election material.'
Political Background and Career History
Mr Matthews was first elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in 2021 and successfully secured re-election in 2024. In a significant political shift, he defected from the Conservative Party to join Reform UK in 2025. His political career includes serving as a Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands and spending eight years as a unitary authority councillor. He currently holds the position of Parish Councillor in his home village within Leicestershire.
Beyond politics, Mr Matthews has established himself as an author with numerous publications on diverse subjects including history, ghosts, cryptozoology, UFOs, and paranormal activity. His professional website describes him as 'a highly regarded historian' who has served as a specialist advisor on major film productions, notably the 2016 remake of Ben Hur.
Commissioner's Office Response and Equine Fear
A spokesperson for Mr Matthews' office confirmed that the report had been received and appropriately referred to the IOPC as required by legislation. The spokesperson emphasised: 'Mr Matthews has never made any secret of the fact he is extremely frightened of horses and this has been mentioned, with good humour, every time a horse or pony has been involved in an event. He would never seek to work with them out of choice.'
The office further clarified that Mr Matthews has met the concerned officer on several occasions for legitimate public engagement purposes, suggesting the email should be viewed within the context of their professional relationship.
Ongoing Proceedings and Wider Context
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel's complaints sub-committee is scheduled to convene to determine how the complaint should be formally resolved. This development occurs against the backdrop of significant policing reforms, following Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's November announcement that Police and Crime Commissioner roles would be abolished, a move projected to save taxpayers at least £100 million.
Leicestershire Police has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, maintaining a position of neutrality while the complaints process continues through the appropriate channels.
