South Yorkshire PCC finally steps down after weeks of criticism

South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) Shaun Wright has resigned following weeks of criticism and calls for him to step down.

He announced his decision on (Tuesday) September 16 following pressure from senior figures, including the Home Secretary and Prime Minister, after it emerged that he was in charge of children’s services in Rotherham between 2005 and 2010 when children from across the town were sexually abused.

A report, published last month, looking into the issue of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham revealed that up to 1,400 children had been abused between 1997 and 2013.

Mr Wright said he was stepping down as the debate over his role was “detracting from the important issue”.

He said: “My role as South Yorkshire PCC has clearly become prominent in terms of public opinion and media coverage following the publication of Professor Alexis Jay’s report.

“With this in mind, I feel that it is now right to step down from the position of PCC for South Yorkshire, for the sake of those victims, for the sake of the public of South Yorkshire and to ensure that the important issues outlined in the report about tackling child sexual exploitation can be discussed and considered in full and without distraction.”

Since the publication of the report, calls have been made for Mr Wright to step down but he refused to go despite his own party urging him to leave. He voluntarily resigned from the Labour Party following threats to suspend his membership.

Last week, Mr Wright told the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) that resigning as PCC would be “the easy thing to do”, and that there was “no indication” of widespread child sexual exploitation in Rotherham during his time in children’s services.

The HASC said it would be writing to the Home Secretary to seek emergency legislation to sack Mr Wright from his position and questioned his version of events.

Home Secretary Theresa May welcomed Mr Wright’s decision.

She said: “It is right that where people failed in their duty they should take responsibility. The police and local council failed the victims of these awful crimes and failed the people of Rotherham.

“PCCs are accountable to their local electorate. It is now for the people of South Yorkshire to elect someone who can provide local leadership, ensure the lessons of these dreadful cases are applied, and make sure the victims get the justice they deserve.”

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added that Mr Wright’s position was “untenable”.

“The scale of terrible child abuse that took place over decades in Rotherham was shocking and it`s right that those in positions of authority take some responsibility,” she said.

“It is a major problem with the Government`s model for PCCs – that there is no swift way to hold individuals to account – even once they have lost the confidence of the public and victims of crime.”

Nick Alston, chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said: “The resignation of Shaun Wright makes the need to review the legislation even clearer. We need better rules for elections and sharper mechanisms to scrutinise the work of PCCs.”

The chief executive of the Office of PCC for South Yorkshire is working with the returning officer, the police and crime panel (PCP) and the Home Office on arrangements for a by-election.

The PCP is expected to announce an acting commissioner in the meantime. South Yorkshire’s deputy PCC resigned on August 28, shortly after the publication of the Rotherham report.

The resignation of Mr Wright marks the second PCC by-election following the death of West Midlands PCC Bob Jones in July.