NORTH Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan has revealed she won’t stand for re-election in 2020.

Ms Mulligan issued a statement on Monday stating she wouldn’t seek a second term as commissioner once her current stint ends in May 2020.

Her decision comes after she last month failed to win automatic selection as the Tory candidate for the role in the next election.

“This has been a very difficult time for me. I am passionate about public service, and in recent months have explained some of my reasons why,” she said.

“But, in seven years of being the elected commissioner, I have taken tough decisions which I firmly believe are the right ones, but which others clearly disagree with and we have seen the results of that in recent weeks.”

She also defended the role of commissioner itself.

“I am proud to have been the first Police and Crime Commissioner, and now the first Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, for North Yorkshire,” she said.

“I know the role has been controversial, but we have moved to decisions being made in full view by someone who has been elected democratically to do just that.

“This opportunity is one I have embraced, and I have used every mechanism available to me to make a difference.”

Ms Mulligan’s office said she would not be making any additional comment at this time.

Ms Mulligan has been police and crime commissioner since 2012 and also took over North Yorkshire’s fire and rescue last year when the services amalgamated their leadership.

In October a Police and Crime Panel upheld allegations that Ms Mulligan had displayed “bullying behaviour” towards staff.

Another set of allegations about bullying was made in January.