27/08/2014

Labour Calls For Shaun Wright To Stand Down

South Yorkshire's Police Commissioner is refusing to stand down from his post, claiming he was "not aware" of the scale of the problem after it was found that more than 1,400 children had been abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

Shaun Wright, who was responsible for children's services at Rotherham Council for five of the 16 years, is being urged to stand down.

Mr Wright was also elected as the Labour Party's PCC candidate in November 2012.

Mr Wright told Sky News: "I take my share of the responsibility. There was systemic failure. I only wish that I knew more at the time.

"If I knew then what I know now then clearly more could have been done. I do have regrets I wasn't more aware of the issue at the time."

A Labour Party spokesman said: "The report into child abuse in Rotherham was devastating in its findings. Vulnerable children were repeatedly abused and then let down.

"In the light of this report, it is appropriate that South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright should step down."

(CD/JP)

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