Rotherham: Wright says he quit to ensure focus was solely on the victims and not on him

Shaun Wright said he quit as South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to focus attention off him and on to the victims of the Rotherham child abuse scandal.
Shaun WrightShaun Wright
Shaun Wright

In a statement, he said: “My role has clearly become prominent in terms of public opinion and media coverage following the publication of Professor Alexis Jay’s report.

“This is detracting from the important issue, which should be everybody’s focus - the 1,400 victims outlined in the report - and in providing support to victims and bringing to justice the criminals responsible for the atrocious crimes committed against them.

“With this in mind, I feel that it is now right to step down 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 and without distraction.”