SOUTH Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner has stepped down from the role after weeks of pressure over the Rotherham sexual abuse scandal.
Shaun Wright has come under increased fire since the publication of Professor Alexis Jay's report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, as he was the councillor with responsibility for children's services there from 2005 to 2010.
He initially resisted mounting calls to resign from the likes of the Prime Minister, Home Secretary and his former party, Labour.
But in a statement released yesterday by his office, Mr Wright resigned, saying: "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 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 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."
Mr Wright's resignation will trigger a by-election, on a date yet to be determined.
Home Secretary Theresa May welcomed his resignation. She said: "The police and local council failed the victims of these awful crimes and failed the people of Rotherham.
"Police and Crime Commissioners are accountable to their local electorate. It is now for the people of South Yorkshire to elect someone who can provide local leadership, ensure the lessons of these dreadful cases are applied, and make sure the victims get the justice they deserve."
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