LONDON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- A police commissioner in England who came under fire for a child sexual abuse scandal in a town he oversaw has resigned.
An independent report investigating child sexual exploitation in Rotherham was published August 26, revealing at least 1,400 children were sexually abused between 1997 and 2013.
The report concluded there was systemic and long-term disregard for the "growing evidence that child sexual exploitation was a serious problem in Rotherham," and that "Over the first twelve years covered by this inquiry, the collective failures of political and officer leadership were blatant."
South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Shaun Wright, who was responsible for children's services for the Rotherham Council from 2005 to 2010, initially resisted calls to resign following the report's publication.
In his resignation statement on Tuesday, Wright wrote that the public backlash "is detracting from the important issue, which should be everybody's focus -- the 1400 victims outlined in the report -- and in providing support to victims and bringing to justice the criminals responsible for the atrocious crimes committed against them." He added:
"With this in mind, I feel that it is now right, to step down from the position of Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, for the sake of those victims, for the sake of the public of South Yorkshire and to ensure that the important issues outlined in the report about tackling child sexual exploitation can be discussed and considered in full and without distraction."
Wright's resignation follows a vote of no confidence by the South Yorkshire regional police oversight panel.
Home Secretary Theresa May welcomed the news of Wright's resignation. "It is right that where people failed in their duty, they should take responsibility. Police and crime commissioners are accountable to their local electorate."
