The head of the national body for police commissioners resigned after being told it would be inappropriate for him to appear on Question Time following the Manchester attack.

Nazir Afzal, former chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), was advised against going on the show because of the potentially controversial policing issues that could have been raised.

But Mr Afzal stepped down from his position in order to make an appearance on the BBC’s topical debate programme on May 25.

Sorry to learn that @nazirafzal has resigned as CEO of @AssocPCCs . A statement from the latter is here https://t.co/hrxrNYBSN7 — Nick Alston (@NickAlston_cm1) May 30, 2017

The APCC said: “Nazir told the board that he intended to go on Question Time to discuss the recent events in Manchester.

“The Board, made up of all parties, advised that it would be inappropriate for him to do so, given the number of contentious issues relating to policing which could be raised especially in discussion with politicians who were appearing and during purdah.

“He resigned from his post in order to make this appearance. We thank him for his service during his year at the APCC.”

In a statement on its website the organisation said that when Mr Afzal took up his post he signed a contract saying he would not do any media without the consent of the board.

It said this was “essential” because the apolitical APCC is made up of Conservatives, Labour, Plaid Cymru and Independent Police and Crime Commissioners, and the chief executive’s role is politically restricted.