IPCC receives referral regarding South Yorkshire PCC

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) say that it has received a referral from South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Panel relating to Shaun Wright, Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire.

The referral stems from two complaints regarding Shaun Wright's role at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, where he was in charge of Children's Services for five years and his knowledge of child sexual exploitation allegations.

The IPCC say they will assess whether the matter is something which requires an investigation involving the IPCC. The IPCC can investigate Police and Crime Commissioners if there is evidence that they may have committed a criminal offence, either while in office or prior to them becoming Police and Crime Commissioners.

Under the legislation that created the roles in 2012, a PCC can only be suspended if: 

• The commissioner has been charged in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man with an offence, and
• The offence is one which carries a maximum term of imprisonment exceeding two years

This news comes after a vote of no confidence in South Yorkshire police commissioner Shaun Wright has been passed by the county's Police and Crime Panel. Mr Wright was appearing before the panel for the first time since a report revealed 1,400 children were abused in Rotherham from 1997-2013.

During the meeting he faced angry demands from members of the public to resign. Responding to calls for him to stand down, Mr Wright said: "I've always acted in the best interests of young people and I've always addressed the inadequacies within South Yorkshire Police since I took up the role as police and crime commissioner."