Threat to shoot police chief over Rotherham

THE grandfather of an alleged victim of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham told South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright: “If I had a gun I would shoot you,” during angry scenes.

Mr Wright faced public questions for the first time since the publication of the report which highlighted how 1,400 children in the town were subjected to horrors including being raped, trafficked and assaulted in the town over a 16-year period.

But the commissioner did not stay at the end of the meeting to hear the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel – which oversees his work – pass another vote of no confidence in him and UNDER PRESSURE: Shaun Wright has faced calls to resign over child sex abuse scandal. endorse calls for a change in the law to enable him to be sacked.

He l ef t t he building escorted by police officers before the panel members reached their decision, and got into a waiting car to shouts of “Shaun Wright out” from a small group of protesters.

Earlier Mr Wright was confronted from the public gallery of Rotherham Town Hall by a man who said his 12-year-old granddaughter was arrested for being drunk and disorderly by police officers who let her four adult abusers go free.

The man said: “You were a disgrace, mate. If I had a gun I would shoot you.”

Mr Wright responded, saying: “Clearly, if that took place, it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Two young women who said they had been sexually exploited in Rotherham also questioned the commiss i oner, one repeatedly haranguing Mr Wright throughout the meeting. Other members of the public asked him repeatedly why he had not resigned.

Mr Wright has been the focus of attention since the publication of Professor Alexis Jay’s report into the exploitation in Rotherham because he was the councillor with responsibility for children’s services in the borough from 2005 to 2010.

Calls for him to step down have been led by Prime Minister David Cameron.