BARNSLEY'S police commissioner has bowed to pressure and today announced his resignation after the controversy sparked by the publication of a report that shed the light on over 1,400 sex abuse cases in Rotherham.
The Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner revealed today that Shaun Wright has stepped down.
In a statement on the website, Shaun Wright said: "My role as South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner 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 1400 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 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 and without distraction."
A by-electrion will now be announced to vote in his replacement.
