CUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes admitted he has made mistakes in office but said they are ‘not resignable’.

The commissioner has been criticised for taking two chauffeur-driven limo trips which cost the public purse £700.

At a press conference this afternoon he apologised and said he failed to check the cost of the driver before he actually took the journey.

“Quite simply the arrangements were made on my behalf and I failed to ask the question of cost,” he said.

He added that once he realised the cost he cancelled the arrangement immediately. He said the money has now been repaid.

He also admitted his second mistake was not publishing his expenses until earlier this week.

He continued: “I apologise unreservedly to the people of Cumbria for the embarrassment this has caused and the situation that it places them in looking at me as their police and crime commissioner.”

When asked whether he should resign over the matters, Mr Rhodes said: “None of this looks good and I apologise but the few things I have done wrong are not resignable.”

He also emphasised throughout the conference that he had nothing to do with the investigations being undertaken by the police.

Three people have been arrested after police received complaints that confidential information had been leaked to the media.

A police spokeswoman said: "Cumbria Constabulary has internal ‘whistleblowing’ policies and processes that support officers and staff who want to raise legitimate issues or concerns in a lawful and appropriate way.

“However, it appears that these processes have not been followed in this case and the investigation is focusing on data protection issues and the unlawful disclosure of confidential information.”

Mr Rhodes told the press conference: “At no point have I asked questions or been told information about the investigation that Cumbria Constabulary are conducting.”

He later added: “I’m speaking at an engagement in Lancaster this evening but I am driving myself in my own car.”