Woman Claims Police Chief John Tizard Involved in Hit-and-Run Incident with Jaguar
A recent incident in the Ampthill Waitrose car park has sparked controversy as a woman, Jane Dye, accuses Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) John Tizard of being involved in a hit-and-run incident with his Jaguar. The alleged incident took place on Sunday, August 25, around 12:45 pm, when Ms. Dye claims to have witnessed Mr. Tizard backing his red Jaguar XE Prestige into a parked silver Seat Alhambra, causing damage. According to Ms. Dye, instead of taking responsibility for the accident, the PCC reportedly drove away and parked on the other side of the car park, leaving the scene without addressing the issue.
Allegations and Accusations
Ms. Dye, a 52-year-old legal PA, recounts the incident, stating, “I just parked my car and I heard an almighty crunch behind me. I saw his car go into the back of another car. He reversed and drove off and parked on the other side of the car park.” She further claims that when she confronted Mr. Tizard by taking a photo of him and the damage caused, he allegedly appeared with a notebook and pen, seemingly only after being caught on camera. Ms. Dye expressed feeling intimidated by Mr. Tizard’s actions, stating that he approached her car and “looked daggers” at her, causing her to feel nervous and drive off out of fear.
The Aftermath and Response
Following the incident, Ms. Dye shared a photo of Mr. Tizard and the damaged car on the Ampthill.Info Facebook group, where she regularly contributes. However, the post was mysteriously deleted by admins after receiving an influx of supportive comments praising her for documenting the incident. When approached for a comment, Mr. Tizard allegedly downplayed the incident, stating that he had already settled with the car owner for less than £100. He explained, “There was a fairly minor scratch to a car. I have spoken with the owner of the car and we have agreed a way forward, and I am going to pay for the damage caused.”
Contradicting Accounts
Mr. Tizard refuted Ms. Dye’s claims that he attempted to walk off from the scene, stating, “Not true… I parked up. Looked at the damage. Left a note and then waited for the car owner to return.” He further explained that he had to purchase pen and paper to write the note as he did not have any with him at the time. When questioned about the alleged intimidation towards Ms. Dye, Mr. Tizard denied any awareness of such behavior, asserting that he acted appropriately throughout the incident.
Community Response
The incident has sparked debate within the community, with many expressing support for Ms. Dye’s actions in documenting the hit-and-run incident. Social media users have commended her for holding a public official accountable and shedding light on the incident. However, there are also those who believe that the issue has been blown out of proportion and that the matter has already been resolved amicably between Mr. Tizard and the car owner.
John Tizard’s Background and Response
John Tizard, who was elected as PCC in May this year, is the first Labour PCC in Bedfordshire for eight years. Prior to his role as PCC, Mr. Tizard served as a chair for Bloomsbury-based non-profit Action Space and as an associate with Shoreditch-based Global Partners Governance. He also has a background in local government, having previously been a director at outsourcing company Capita and a councillor for Bedfordshire County Council. Despite the allegations made against him, Mr. Tizard maintains that he handled the situation appropriately and has since resolved the matter with the car owner.
Moving Forward
As the controversy surrounding the hit-and-run incident continues to unfold, it raises questions about accountability and transparency, especially when it comes to public officials. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and taking responsibility for one’s actions, regardless of one’s position in society. It also highlights the power of individuals like Ms. Dye in holding those in authority accountable and ensuring that justice is served. Only time will tell how this incident will impact Mr. Tizard’s reputation and future actions as the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner.