Mcguinness can’t match Baird’s work

I AM afraid that Brian Dickinson’s letter (April 28) claiming Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kim Mcguinness “is actually the first person to speak up for violence against women” shows an appalling level of ignorance.

He ignores the many brave women who have been working in rape crisis centres and women’s refuges. As a union rep, I represented women working in both workplaces in Middlesbrough. One even lost an eye in a vicious assault by a violent male partner who broke into the refuge.

He also ignores the pioneering work done by Dame Vera Baird as the previous PCC. Domestic violence was her number one priority. Partly in recognition of this work, she is the current Victim’s Commissioner, appointed by the Government.

Meanwhile, Ms Mcguinness was only elected as PCC three years ago.

, , Stuart Hill, Forest Hall, Newcastle