theguardian.com,
Tuesday 16 September 2014 10.55 BST
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 following the report was "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."
The home secretary, Theresa May, responded to his resignation saying: "I am pleased that Shaun Wright has heeded the calls from his local community for him to resign. 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.
"Police and crime commissioners 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."
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 Prof 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 saying it was time to look at introducing a power of recall.
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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. I think he really believes that!
"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."
Labour MP for Bassetlaw, John Mann, has called for former Labour home secretary David Blunkett, who is to step down as MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough at the next general election, to run for the role.
Mann said: "Shaun Wright has finally done the decent thing and resigned, but for many people it's too little too late. He failed the people of Rotherham and to try and remain in his post as police and crime commissioner was an insult to the victims and their families.
"I believe that David Blunkett should stand as police and crime commissioner in the byelection that will now be called.
"He is a credible and dedicated public servant who has served in a variety of roles locally and nationally. He knows and understands South Yorkshire and is widely respected throughout the area."
However, the former home secretary and South Yorkshire MP has moved to dismiss calls for him to stand, telling BBC Radio Sheffield he had absolutely no intention of going for the job. Blunkett said it was a great pity that Wright did not step down sooner and said he felt sorry for Wright's family, "who didn't deserve to be in the spotlight".
Tuesday 16 September 2014 10.55 BST
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 following the report was "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."
"The police and local council failed the victims of these awful crimes and failed the people of Rotherham.
"Police and crime commissioners 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."
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 Prof 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 saying it was time to look at introducing a power of recall.
"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. I think he really believes that!
"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."
Labour MP for Bassetlaw, John Mann, has called for former Labour home secretary David Blunkett, who is to step down as MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough at the next general election, to run for the role.
Mann said: "Shaun Wright has finally done the decent thing and resigned, but for many people it's too little too late. He failed the people of Rotherham and to try and remain in his post as police and crime commissioner was an insult to the victims and their families.
"I believe that David Blunkett should stand as police and crime commissioner in the byelection that will now be called.
"He is a credible and dedicated public servant who has served in a variety of roles locally and nationally. He knows and understands South Yorkshire and is widely respected throughout the area."
However, the former home secretary and South Yorkshire MP has moved to dismiss calls for him to stand, telling BBC Radio Sheffield he had absolutely no intention of going for the job. Blunkett said it was a great pity that Wright did not step down sooner and said he felt sorry for Wright's family, "who didn't deserve to be in the spotlight".
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