Shaun Wright Quits Labour Party.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2736204/A-raft-abuse-files-crime-tsar-says-didnt-Shaun-Wright-urged-quit-Labour-continues-shift-blame-scandal.html

The Labour part gave him till this morning to resign, he has now quit.

It is said he can't be sacked because he is elected by the public, what does an elected person have to do before they can be removed from their position?

[Gromit]

They were about to kick him out, so he left.

Labour are a bunch of hypocrites. They knew of his previous job when they nominated him for Police Commissioner in 2012. They knew that 5 members of an Asian gang who had abused 58 girls, were convicted two years earlier, on Wright's watch.

[New Judge]

At least he'll save on his annual subs.

Another good reason why PCCs are a waste of space and money. Quite why they should be backed by political parties is a mystery to me. If the ridiculous posts are to continue they should be open only to independent candidates.


If this particular incumbent had any decency he would resign forthwith.as he was head of children's services in Rotherham from 2005-10 (from which he resigned). He now suggests that he is the most suitable person to be PCC in South Yorkshire. I do not share hois view.

[Gromit]

NJ

The PCCs are open to independent candidates.

I would like to see the posts abolished. If they are to continue, they should be de-politicised, and any candidate should have to quit their membership of a political party.

The job should be apolitical.

[New Judge]

Yes I know they are, Gromit. But like you, I believe they should ONLY be open to independent candidates (if they must continue, that is). There is no place for childish party politics when it comes to policing.

However, Mr Wright should not be made the sole scapegoat for this appalling affair. Among the (many) others who should consider their position is Joyce Thacker, the current head of Rotherham's children's services. Mrs Thacker (salary £130k, which seems about the going rate for the people who refuse to accept any responsibility for this fiasco) hit the headlines in 2012 when she ordered the removal of three foster children from a couple who were members of UKIP. She said that as members of that party they opposed multiculturalism and so were not suitable carers for the children who were from an ethnic minority (mind you, in Rotherham, that may well mean White British). Well we've now seen what embracing and encouraging multiculturalism can lead to.

A couple of others worth mention are Paul Lakin and Jahngir Akhtar. Mr Lakin is the council's "cabinet member" with responsibility for children's services. He says he knew nothing about the extent of the abuse prevalent in the town.. Mr Akhtar is the former deputy leader of the council and his claim to fame was that he was forced to temporarily leave his post following allegations that he knew of a relationship between one of his relatives and a 14 year old girl. An enquiry (presumably chaired by Mr Lakin, as he knew nothing of any such shenanigans) subsequently cleared him, but he later lost his seat on the council.

Anybody who has had any dealings with any public body in the UK in recent years (especially local councils or the police) will know that they are absolutely petrified of accusations of racism. This fear is so intense that, as we have seen, it prevents them carrying out vital tasks satisfactorily. This will not be the last such fiasco we will see whilst this pernicious attitude prevails.

[mikey4444]

Nj...what a pity then, that the primary legislation for PCCs were produced by a Tory Government. Even more a pity that the ability to sack a PCC wasn't included in the same legislation.

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

So you are in favour of politicians sacking a person who has been lawfully elected by the people?

Mind you to think about it, if that became law whoever was in power could sack every member of parliament that wasn't a member of their party.

But wait a minute are you suggesting...............?????????

[maggiebee]

Surely someone can sack him - somebody must pay his wages? Can there be a vote of no confidence?

[New Judge]

It's a pity it was introduced at all, Mikey, regardless of which party did it. It was a solution to a problem that did not exist. Politicians are masters of the art. It makes it look as if they are "doing something". Unfortunately their talents do not often extend to successfully solving problems that DO exist.

You will know that, despite leaning slightly to the right, I have no time for incompetent politicians of any persuasion. And the current Coalition seems disproportionately blessed with more than its fair share of that strain of the animal.

[mikey4444]

NJ...on this issue I am tending to agree with you !

I was unsure exactly what PCCs were meant to achieve, although I presume some of them, somewhere, are doing a good job. Leaving aside any party political issues, this man is being amazingly brazen, and a bit daft. Does he really think that his position is tenable now ? Rotherham needs some leadership here, and I can't see that he is is in any position to provide it. I still think he will eventually resign.