THE Thames Valley’s police and crime commissioner appeared before a Parliamentary committee yesterday to defend the work of commissioners.

Thames Valley police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld took questions from the House of Commons home affairs select committee before Chief Constable Sara Thornton faced the panel.

Mr Stansfeld was asked by committee chairman Keith Vaz MP if his relationship with Ms Thornton was “too cosy” and questioned whether he alone was able to hold her to account – but he said he often disagreed with her.