A POLICE commissioner who sparked outrage after making comments about Sarah Everard’s murder resigned hours after losing a no confidence vote yesterday.
North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott decided to step down having initially said he wanted to try to regain the public’s trust, after what he admitted were “absolutely ridiculous” and “pathetic” comments he made in a radio interview.
More than 1000 complaints were made after he said women should be more “streetwise” about powers of arrest and that Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by her killer Wayne Couzens, a serving police officer.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon condemns Tory police chief 'blaming Sarah Everard for her own murder'
The Prime Minister was said to have been outraged by the comments, seen as being worse as Everard’s family live in York, and they were considered by many as victim-blaming.
At an online public meeting of the North Yorkshire Fire and Crime panel, all 11 members gave him a vote of no confidence, although it did not have the power to fire him.
He told the meeting he wanted to fight on, but later on yesterday he issued a statement saying he was “doing the honourable thing” and stepping down.
Allott again apologised for his remarks, saying he “misspoke” and was “devastated” by the impact of his words.
In his statement, he said: “I had hoped I could rebuild trust, to restore confidence.
“I was pleased that so many victims’ groups had accepted that I was genuinely sorry and were willing to work with me to help me in the mammoth task I had ahead.
“Following this morning’s meeting of the Police and Crime Panel it seems clear to me that the task will be exceptionally difficult, if it is possible at all.
“It would take a long time and a lot of resources of my office and the many groups who do excellent work supporting victims. Victims and the groups who support them need to be heard.
“They cannot be heard if the airwaves are filled with discussion about my future.”
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