LANCASHIRE Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw has put forward shock plans to restructure his office including dispensing with his deputy and three assistants.

He informed his number two and Blackburn Labour politician Ibrahim Masters and the other three officials of the proposal on Thursday.

The plans, officially out for ‘consultation’, would save almost £100,000 a year.

Mr Grunshaw confirmed the proposal when approached by the Lancashire Telegraph last night saying: "I feel the time is right to review and restructure my office and look at the support I need going forward.

"As a consequence of this, proposals have been drawn up and they have been presented to all staff in the organisation for consultation.

“I can confirm the proposals do include plans to remove the roles of the deputy and assistant commissioners.”

Mr Master, paid £29,750 a year, said: No comment.”

The three assistants - Saima Afzal, Amanda Webster, and Bruce Jassi - receive £20,400 annually each.

This is the latest stage in a restructuring that saw Mr Grunshaw’s chief executive Miranda Carruthers Watt’s £122,203 a year post unexpectedly scrapped in June.

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Kate Hollern, who chairs the Police and Crime Panel overseeing the commissioner’s work, said: “I am disappointed that the panel had a meeting this week and Mr Grunshaw did not choose to inform us of these proposals.

“I intend to discuss them with the Commissioner at the earliest opportunity.”

The first year of office for Mr Grunshaw, paid £85,000 a year, was overshadowed by an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into his expenses.

The same body is now managing a probe into Mr Master over his alleged ‘misconduct’ after an incident in Blackburn.

Former Eastern Division police commander and Blackburn Tory candidate Bob Eastwood said: “I am surprised to hear he has proposed dispensing with three very professional people he brought in to help him.”