Top Yorkshire cop 'likely' to face investigation over Rotherham abuse scandal

THE POLICE commissioner who was a councillor during the Rotherham abuse scandal is likely to face a criminal investigation, it emerged today.

Shaun WrightShaun Wright resigned after the Jay Report was released [GETTY]

Shaun Wright resigned three weeks after the release of the Jay Report into the sexual exploitation of 1,400 children in the town.

South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable David Crompton has revealed an independent inquiry overseen by the National Crime Agency (NCA) will involve "criminal investigations into the actions of council officers and councillors at Rotherham" over potential misconduct in public office.

In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee, he said: "This is likely to involve the ex-police and crime commissioner who was a councillor at the time and lead member for children's services." 

Mr Wright was children's services cabinet member at Rotherham Council between 2005 and 2010, before becoming PCC in 2012. 

After initially refusing to stand down, he left his post three weeks after the Jay Report revealed at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited in the town between 1997 and 2010.

Mr Crompton said the inquiry will be split into two parts, one controlled by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the other by the NCA. 

The IPCCwill examine issues of police misconduct, while the NCA will look at criminal matters raised by the Jay Report including investigations into historic unsolved abuse cases, the oversight of ongoing investigations and whether Rotherham councillors and workers should face charges.

Mr Crompton said: "It is almost inconceivable the criminal investigation will not identify matters to be referred to the IPCC around police misconduct".

Trevor Pearce, NCA director of investigations, is drawing up the inquiry's terms of reference.

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