by political editor Paul Francis

Property developer Fergus Wilson has announced he is dropping out of the race to become Kent's first directly-elected crime and police commissioner.

Mr Wilson, 64, who lives in Maidstone and has made a fortune from his buy-to-let property business, notably around Ashford, is the second
candidate to withdraw from the race.

He had intended to stand as an independent in November's election, but now says the prospect of further government cuts to policing budgets would make the job of delivering his manifesto pledges
impossible.

"The reason is that further drastic cuts were announced at the Conservative conference and I did not wish to find myself in the position of Nick Clegg of making election promises I could not keep.

"Further cuts make the position totally impossible. There have been cuts
resulting in the reduction of police officers and police civilians and
further cuts would mean a force that could not operate effectively and I fear that is what will happen."

He now says that he will not vote in the election. "I don't normally vote anyway. I know that sounds odd but it does show you how silly the situation is. A lot of people I have spoken to think it [police commissioner elections] are a complete waste of time...they are not convinced by it."

He maintained his belief that he was the only credible candidate because of his financial background and business experience but said he would not be lending his support to any other candidate.

"I felt that I was the only viable alternative as all the others seemed to have a political affiliation but were running under a flag of convenience."

He rejected the claims from some that the election is stacked against
independent candidates who lack the support of a political party machine to help campaign.

"I don't believe it is a level playing field which some of the other candidates seem a bit upset by but while it may be a bit unfortunate, I wasn't that upset by it."

Mr Wilson, a former maths teacher, is the second independent to drop out
of the race.

Ian Driver, a Thanet independent councillor, withdrew recently saying the costs of mounting a campaign were prohibitive.

The election for Kent's police commissioner takes place on November 15.