Rotherham child sex abuse scandal: PCC Shaun Wright resigns

South Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright, who has resigned
over the Rotherham child sex abuse scandal.

Shaun Wright has resigned as South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, three weeks after a damning report revealing the scale of child sex abuse in Rotherham led to widespread calls for him to quit, including from the home secretary.

Wright, who was in charge of children's services in Rotherham between 2005 and 2010, said in a statement that his role as commissioner had attracted so much public and media attention that it 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, welcomed his decision. "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.  (more...)

Rotherham child sex abuse scandal: PCC Shaun Wright resigns