London: Shaun Wright, the South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, has resigned three weeks after a damning report revealing the scale of child sex abuse in Rotherham triggered calls for his resignation from the home secretary downwards.
Wright, who was in charge of children’s services in Rotherham between 2005 and 2010, said in his resignation statement that the issue of his role as South Yorkshire’s police commissioner in the wake of the report “is detracting from the important issue the 1,400 victims outlined in the report”.
He said: “With this in mind, I feel it is now right to step down from the position of police and crime commissioner 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 without distraction.”
Wright was suspended from the Labour party after he refused to heed a call to quit from the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, in the immediate aftermath of the report by Professor Alexis Jay. Tuesday’s decision followed public anger and a vote of no confidence last week by his own police and crime scrutiny panel.
Wright’s resignation will trigger a byelection for the crime commissioner role. His refusal to go was fuelling demands for reform of the system of police commissioner appointments, with the home secretary, Theresa May, saying it was time to look at introducing a power of recall.
In his statement, Wright said that protecting vulnerable people, and particularly victims of child sexual exploitation, had been his top priority as commissioner, and that much progress had been made over the past two years.
“My intention had always been to continue my work with South Yorkshire police and partners in making all the necessary changes and improvements required to safeguard and support the victims of these horrific crimes, and indeed to protect further potential victims through preventative actions.
“On resigning, I therefore truly wish the force all the very best in continuing the journey of positive transformational change of those essential services which protect and support our most vulnerable people.”
