A man standing for a new role overseeing policing across Bedfordshire was arrested on Saturday, according to reports.
Kevin Carroll is the English Defence League (EDL) candidate to become Police And Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire in next month’s election.
It is claimed that he was one of 53 EDL members arrested at the weekend, along with party leader Tommy Robinson, aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The reports appeared to be confirmed by the EDL’s official Twitter feed.
Responding to one Twitter-user who posted “Is it true about Tommy and Kev getting arrested today ???” the EDL site replied: “It is true.”
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “On the afternoon of Saturday, October 20, MPS officers arrested 53 people at various locations on motorways on the outskirts of London.
“The arrests formed part of an intelligence-led, pre-event investigation into a planned disturbance in east London on the same day.
“All 53 were males and they were arrested for conspiracy to cause public nuisance before being taken into custody at various locations in central and south London.
“Today, October 21, those arrested are being bailed pending further enquiries, on the condition they do not enter east London to demonstrate for a stipulated period of time.”
Mr Carroll is one of four candidates for the newly-created commissioner role.
The PCC will replace Bedfordshire Police Authority, and will scrutinise policing across the county.
Their powers will include being able to appoint and dismiss the chief constables setting out a five-year police and crime plan after their election, and publishing an annual report.