Renewed calls for PCC to stand down
An MP has renewed calls for the police and crime commissioner (PCC) of North Yorkshire to step down from his post in the light of widely condemned comments he made about the Sarah Everard case.
Former chief whip and MP for Skipton and Ripon, Julian Smith was speaking ahead of a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, which will meet on Thursday (October 14) to discuss comments made by Philip Allott following the conviction of Wayne Couzens.
Mr Allott had told BBC Radio York: “A police officer can’t just arrest you. There has to be a reason. So, Covid for example, I would classify as a summary offence, it’s not an indictable, ie, sent to prison or potentially go to a Crown Court.
“So women first of all just need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can’t be arrested. She should never have been arrested and submitted to that.”
Mr Allott subsequently apologies for his remarks saying: “I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”
However, Mr Smith tweeted: “Recent comments of the NY police & crime commissioner were completely unacceptable. Prior to Thursday’s Police & Crime Panel meeting to discuss the PCC’s future I believe the PCC has lost trust of women and victims’ groups & should go. I have communicated this to the PCC & panel chair.”
