Sacked chief constable launches legal action against PCC

South Yorkshire’s former chief constable has begun legal action against the decision to dismiss him.

David Crompton served a claim against defendants including police and crime commissioner Dr Alan Billings on Friday (October 7) arguing that the decision to sack him was unlawful.

Mr Crompton was dismissed under section 38 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 after Dr Billings found that statements he made in the wake of the Hillsborough inquests caused “an erosion of trust” in the force.

A statement released by law firm Kingsley Napley on behalf of the former chief constable said: “Mr Crompton will be asking the Administrative Court to, amongst other things, declare the decisions as unlawful and will be seeking a quashing order in relation to [his dismissal].

“If granted, the effect of these orders would be to nullify the PCC’s use of section 38.”

Mr Crompton was suspended in April after inquests into the 1989 tragedy ruled that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed.

The chief constable had apologised in 2012 when the Hillsborough Independent Panel found that South Yorkshire Police had attempted to deflect responsibility onto Liverpool FC supporters.

However, a statement issued the day after the verdict was released appeared to backpedal on this apology and justify questioning of the fans’ conduct.

His comments sparked public outcry, and were criticised by figures including then Home Secretary Theresa May for causing unnecessary distress to the bereaved families.

South Yorkshire police and crime panel declared this statement to be “a catastrophic error of judgment” and called on Dr Billings to demand his resignation.

The PCC agreed, claiming that Mr Crompton’s behaviour suggested that he failed to “grasp the gravity of the situation”.

However, Mr Crompton was supported by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Tom Winsor, describing his dismissal as a forced removal.

Sir Tom added that the justification given by Dr Billings was “nowhere close to the sort of concerns I would expect to see” for the dismissal of a chief constable.

Dr Billings said he was “disappointed” to hear of Mr Crompton’s plans and that he will be seeking legal action.

“I called for Mr Crompton’s resignation on September 29 at the end of the Section 38 process,” he said.

“This followed careful consideration of all the views and correspondence I received, including the police and crime panel’s unanimous recommendation that I should call for the chief constable to resign or retire.

“Mr Crompton tendered his resignation the same day.”