Police boss: I quit after ‘car crash’ Sarah comments
Commissioner admits gross insensitivity to victim’s family
A POLICE commissioner has finally resigned after an outcry over his crass comments about the Sarah Everard murder case.
Philip Allott yesterday admitted he gave a car crash of an interview to a BBC local radio station two weeks ago.
He had said Sarah, 33, should not have submitted to the fake arrest by police officer Wayne Couzens, who went on to kidnap, rape and murder her.
He also said women needed to be more streetwise. Mr Allott yesterday apologised to Ms Everard’s family for his comments during a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel crime scrutiny panel.
Mr Allott said: “I gave a car crash of an answer and I accept that.
“It was wrong, entirely misconceived and grossly insensitive. I would also like to apologise for the impact of that answer to Sarah Everard’s family and all the victims of violence and especially where the perpetrator is a serving police officer at the time.”
Cllr Tim Grogan, who previously worked for West Yorkshire Police’s CID, said his remarks were unforgivable. Around 1,000 complaints have been received by the commissioner’s office and the panel, including a letter signed by many of Mr Allot’s staff. It was only after the meeting at which councillors unanimously called for him to resign that Mr Allott did so.
He released an open letter tendering his resignation as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner that read: “I apologise unreservedly for my remarks. They do not reflect my views.
“I misspoke and I am devastated at the effect that this has had on victims.
“I had hoped I could rebuild trust, to restore confidence... 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... time victims do not have.”
A by-election will now take place to fill the post. Mr Allott, who earned £74,000 a year for the role, made the comments after it emerged serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens had used his warrant card in a false arrest of Ms Everard, supposedly for breaching coronavirus guidelines.
He said to a shocked Radio York presenter: “A police officer can’t just arrest you, there has to be a reason.
“So women, first of all, just need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can’t be arrested.
“She should never have been arrested and submitted to [that].”