Philip Allott resignation: what happens now?

After just five months in charge, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has resigned.

Mr Allott came under fire for saying murdered Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

The comments sparked a backlash from the public and his fellow Conservative politicians.

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and county council leader Carl Les were among the senior Tories who called for him to step down.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, however, did not speak out until after Mr Allott resigned,

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Hours before his resignation, councillors on the county’s police panel passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Allott.

Following the meeting, Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, said in his resignation statement that the vote left his ability to carry out the commissioner role “exceptionally difficult, if it is possible at all”.

What happens now?

Following the resignation of Mr Allott, the office of North Yorkshire, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be led by an acting commissioner.

Simon Dennis, chief executive of the commissioner’s office, confirmed the position will be taken by an existing member of staff.

Cllr Carl Les, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, added:

“We will convene a special meeting of the panel to appoint an interim police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, while arrangements are put in place for the election of a new commissioner at the appropriate time.

“We hope the news of Mr Allott’s resignation means the focus looking ahead will be on the needs of victims of crime and specifically initiatives which will help all women and young girls to be safe and protected here and across the country.”

The election for a new commissioner will be organised by police area returning officer and Selby District Council chief executive, Janet Waggott.

It is currently unclear when voters will head to the polls.

At May’s election, Mr Allott received 83,737 of the first and second-preference votes.

Labour candidate Alison Hume was second with 53,442 votes.

Independent Keith Tordoff, who finished third with 22,338 votes from the first round of votes, has indicated he will stand again.

Police commissioner Philip Allott resigns

Philip Allott, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, has resigned from his position.

Mr Allott came under increasing pressure to step down after saying Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

His resignation comes as councillors passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership and fellow Conservative politicians, including Ripon MP Julian Smith, called for him to resign.

In a statement, Mr Allott said:

“Over the past two weeks I have tried to rebuild trust and confidence in my work as York and North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.  I needed to do that following comments I made on an interview with Radio York regarding the horrific abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

“I need to be clear.  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 of crime and the groups that support them. I have tried to say this again and again but I recognise that what I have said has not always been heard as I intended.

“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.

“This is time victims do not have.  There are women and girls in York and North Yorkshire today suffering at the hands of men.  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.

“That is why I am doing the honourable thing and resigning as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – to restore confidence in the office which I believe will be almost impossible for me to do, and to enable victims’ voices to be heard clearly without the distraction of the continued furore which surrounds me.

“I entered public life because I wanted to make a difference.  I still do.  So, I am committing myself to doing all I can as a private individual to support victims groups.  The pledge I made as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was genuine.  It is one I will keep.

“I would like to thank my office and especially my Chief Executive for his help and support, especially during the last two weeks which has been a challenging time for everyone at the OPFCC.

“Whoever the new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be I wish them every success in what is one of the most demanding but rewarding jobs in the UK.”

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Mr Allott was elected to the position back in May 2021 with 83,737 votes.

Simon Dennis, Chief Executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, added:

“The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will now arrange the appointment of an acting Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to be chosen in accordance with the law, from amongst the staff of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

“Further announcements will be made by the Panel in due course.

“In the meantime, the staff of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire and York will continue to work to protect communities, support victims and keep residents safe and feeling safe.”

Councillors pass ‘no confidence’ vote in police commissioner Philip Allott

Councillors on a police scrutiny panel have called for North Yorkshire’s crime commissioner Philip Allott to resign and passed a motion of no confidence in him.

Mr Allott has come under increasing pressure to step down after saying Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative chair of the panel and leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told Mr Allott “you must consider your position now”.

Mr Allott gave a statement to the panel which reiterated his apology and said he was “undertaking training” to understand violence against women and girls.

However, he said he wanted to “see through” his position.

The panel, which met today, unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Allott.

‘You must consider your position now’

Cllr Les said a letter from Mr Allott’s own staff raised concern over his comments and his behaviour was handed to the panel.

He added:

“in my opinion you do not say how it addresses the issues, the anger and the hurt.

“I have been taking soundings in our council before the letter from your staff was received. We have lost confidence in you now and that is frustrating.

“You must consider your position now.”

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Meanwhile, Cllr Helen Grant, the only female panel member present, told Mr Allott:

“I am shocked that despite the public outcry, despite the petition and despite the crass comments, you are still sitting in your position.”

Commissioner confident he can ‘win back confidence’

Mr Allott told the panel that he had “some shortcomings in terms of my understanding in terms of violence against women and girls”.

He said that he had started training “at his own expense” to understand the issue and admitted that his answer during the BBC Radio York interview was “a car crash”.

Mr Allott went onto say that his answer “did not represent” his view and pointed to a list of measures that he had commissioned, including victims support services.

But, Mr Allott said he would not resign and wanted to continue in his role.

He said:

“The issue is whether I can regain trust. If I cannot regain trust, then I will do the honourable thing.”

Mr Allott went on to tell the panel that he believed he “could win back confidence”.

The police, fire and crime panel has no legal power to remove Mr Allott from his position.

Cllr Les expressed frustration at the panel’s lack of power and said he intended to write to government to ask for a “right of recall” for police commissioners.

Police commissioner Philip Allott faces ‘no confidence’ vote today

Under-fire North Yorkshire police commissioner Philip Allott will face a vote of no confidence in his leadership at a crunch meeting today.

The vote will take place at a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

The panel maintains a regular check and balance on the performance of the county’s police, fire and crime commissioner.

The motion will be proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley and seconded by another member of the panel before going to a vote, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, sparked outrage with comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard.

He said in an interview that Ms Everard should not have submitted to her false arrest by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens, who used his warrant card to falsely arrest her before kidnapping, raping and murdering her.

Mr Allott has come under increased pressure over recent days, with Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith the latest person to call for him to resign.

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Hundreds of complaints have been sent to his office while more than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for his resignation.

The panel will hear just four questions from the public.

Not prepared to resign

Mr Allott has issued a number of apologies for his remarks, but has said he is not prepared to resign from his £74,400-a-year job after being elected this year.

Mr Allott will face questions about his comments and his plans to address violence against women and girls across the region.

Cllr Smalley, a member of the panel, has also called for ‘recall’ legislation – the law that allows errant MPs to be held to account by voters – to be extended to crime commissioners.

Cllr Smalley said: 

“Mr Allott’s comments and the hurt and anger he has caused is simply unacceptable. With a more than 10,000-strong petition and countless others who have called for his resignation, this scandal cannot be simply swept away.

“There is a need for a cultural as well as legislative change through the system to protect women and girls and make our streets safer – this change must start with the commissioner.

“If passed, the no confidence vote could not directly remove Mr Allott from his post, but it would clearly send a message of condemnation over his appalling comments.

“It’s frankly outrageous that police commissioners are so unaccountable to the residents they are elected to serve. The recall laws which apply to MPs should urgently be extended to include police commissioners, who have direct power in deciding how to spend taxpayer’s money.”

Ripon MP Julian Smith calls for police commissioner Philip Allott to go

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has said North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott “should go” over comments he made in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder.

Mr Allott has faced calls for his resignation after saying Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

Conservative Mr Allott, who was elected in May, also said women needed to be “streetwise”.

He later apologised for his remarks, but indicated he would remain in post.

MP Julian Smith, a Conservative himself and former chief whip, has now spoken out saying Mr Allott had lost the trust of women.

He tweeted on Monday:

“Recent comments of the NY Police & Crime Commissioner were completely unacceptable.

“Prior to Thursday’s Police & Crime Panel meeting to discuss the PCC’s future I believe the PCC has lost trust of women and victims groups & should go.”

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Mr Smith’s tweet was supported by North Yorkshire’s former Conservative PFCC Julia Mulligan who replied: “Thank you Julian for speaking out.”

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will meet on Thursday with discussion of Mr Allott’s comments forming part of the agenda.

He is expected to face questions over his remarks made to BBC Radio York on 1 October – the day after the sentencing of Wayne Couzens, who tricked Ms Everard by falsely arresting her for a breach of covid guidelines.

Mr Allott told BBC Radio York:

“A police officer can’t just arrest you. There has to be a reason. So, Covid for example I would classify as a summary offence, it’s not an indictable i.e. sent to prison or potentially go to a Crown Court.

“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.”

Mr Allott has since repeatedly apologised.

In one apology, he said on Twitter:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

The Stray Ferret also asked Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and Nigel Adams MP, whose Selby constituency includes part of the Harrogate district, if Mr Allott should stay in his role but we did not receive a response.

Crime commissioner asks for full report on Harrogate police incident

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has asked North Yorkshire Police to provide him with a full report of an incident in which police officers appear to knee and punch a man in Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret obtained the clip that was filmed on October 1 by a concerned bystander. It shows four police officers attempting to hold the man down while he shouts “get off”.

One officer then appears to knee the man in the head before another officer appears to punch him in the stomach three times.

North Yorkshire Police said the man was making threats to kill but the force’s Professional Standards Department was reviewing the conduct of the officers involved.

Mr Allott, who is under pressure following controversial comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, told the Stray Ferret he has asked North Yorkshire Police to provide a full report on the circumstances of the incident.

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A spokesperson for the College of Policing, an arms-length body of the Home Office which sets standards for key areas of policing, said it would not comment on specific incidents but any use of force must be “necessary, proportionate, justifiable and legal”.

The spokesperson said:

“In general terms, when it comes to use of force, officers and staff would be expected to exercise their professional judgement to make decisions based on the circumstances they were faced with.

“The use of force/restraint must be necessary, proportionate, justifiable and legal. All officers are required to account for and justify their actions using the National Decision Model.”

Under-pressure crime commissioner Philip Allott: ‘I will not resign’

Philip Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, reiterated today that he does not intend to resign.

Mr Allott was interviewed on BBC Look North this lunchtime in what was his first public appearance since his controversial comments about the Sarah Everard murder last Friday.

Back then, he said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Since then more than 9,000 people have signed a petition calling him to go.

Mr Allott told the BBC today:

“I’m deeply sorry for the comments I made. They’re not the kind of language I would usually use. I’m just so horrified how my comments have been seen.”

When asked if he would resign, Mr Allott said he had “reflected” on his position and intended to stay.

He added:

“Because it’s more important that I carry through the mandate I was elected to do.

“83,000 people voted for me in North Yorkshire and York. That’s more than any Member of Parliament.”

Watch the interview below:

A North Yorkshire police boss who claimed women "need to be streetwise" after the Sarah Everard case has said he will not resign.

Philip Allott added he was "deeply sorry" for the comments he made.

Read more here: https://t.co/OgtNI9hr2Q pic.twitter.com/1K9c2SuBkQ

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) October 8, 2021

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Local fallout

Knaresborough resident Mr Allott has faced widespread criticism in the Harrogate district over the past week, including a protest at the war memorial in Harrogate last Saturday.

Harrogate LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity and business group Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce both withdrew invitations for him to speak at events.

The Harrogate & District Law Society also released a statement that said trust in Mr Allott had been “irretrievably lost” and he should resign.

Harrogate Borough Council Liberal Democrat leader Pat Marsh said Mr Allott “should do the honourable thing and resign” and Conservative council leader Richard Cooper said his comments were “very wrong”.

North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel, which holds the commissioner to account, is due to meet on Thursday next week and Mr Allott’s comments will be on the agenda.

The meeting will begin at 10.30am and will be available to watch online via North Yorkshire County Council’s website.

 

Harrogate business group uninvites Philip Allott from meeting

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has withdrawn an invitation to Philip Allott to speak at its November meeting.

The group invites prominent figures from local government, charity and business to address members on topics related to Harrogate at its monthly meetings.

Mr Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, was due to speak about his role, current policing and his priorities for the future.

However, the commissioner has received heavy criticism following comments on BBC Radio York on Friday about the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.

In the interview, Mr Allott said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said the group had withdrawn its offer to Mr Allott.

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Mr Simister said:

“We had initially invited North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to speak at this meeting, but this offer was withdrawn on Monday morning.

“Instead, we have invited the team behind delivering the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway project to present the next stage of the consultation process, which includes revised plans and detailed drawings.

“Due to the importance of this subject, we will be making this an open meeting to all town centre businesses, as we want them to fully appreciate the implications the scheme will have on them and their customers.

“During the open networking session, taking place between 5.30pm and 6.15pm, attendees will have an opportunity to examine the plans, give feedback, and submit questions to be put to the delivery team at the meeting following their presentation.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV personality Piers Morgan have been among those condemning Mr Allott’s comments and calling for his resignation. More than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on him to step down.

The Stray Ferret emailed Mr Allott’s office for a response. His office sent a link to an apology he made over the weekend, which said.

“I would like to reiterate my heartfelt apology for my comments on BBC Radio York on Friday October 1, which I realise were both misconceived and insensitive and have caused upset and distress. I have withdrawn the remarks.”

Philip Allott: ‘I have much to learn’ but no resignation

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has admitted he has “much to learn” about male violence against women and girls but did not mention resigning.

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on Philip Allot to resign following comments he made on BBC Radio York on Friday about the murder of Sarah Everard.

In the interview, Mr Allott said women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Labour leader Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV personality Piers Morgan have been among those condemning his comments and calling for his resignation.

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Locally, protestors gathered near the war memorial in Harrogate yesterday to coincide with a public engagement meeting organised by the commissioner’s office, which Mr Allott did not attend.

Knaresborough resident Mr Allott, who was elected in May to succeed fellow Conservative Julia Mulligan, said in a statement:

“I would like to reiterate my heartfelt apology for my comments on BBC Radio York on Friday 1 October, which I realise were both misconceived and insensitive and have caused upset and distress. I have withdrawn the remarks.

“Clearly, I have much to learn, so as well as committing to working ever more closely with subject-matter expert colleagues in my own organisation and beyond, I will be seeking meetings as soon as possible with local partner organisations across North Yorkshire and the City of York that provide services to tackle male violence against women and girls, in order to deliver on their concerns and broaden my understanding of the issues.

“I hope that all those reading this statement will accept my apology and the commitment I have given to my own learning – and to driving forward positive progress in keeping our communities safe.”

Harrogate protesters tell Philip Allott to go over Sarah Everard comments

Protesters braved the rain and wind in Harrogate today to call on North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to resign over his Sarah Everard comments.

The group gathered near the war memorial at 11.30am to coincide with a public engagement meeting organised by the PFCC’s office, which Mr Allott did not attend.

It comes after Mr Allott said in an interview with BBC Radio York that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Those comments sparked widespread anger. Mr Allott’s name trended on Twitter with calls for his resignation yesterday.

Less than 24 hours later a group of Harrogate residents waved placards and organised a petition to call on the PFCC to step down. They gathered more than 160 signatures in under an hour.

“The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner tells us not to trust the police.”

‘Police need to get to the root of the problem’

Margaret Smith, one of the protesters, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think his comments were totally unacceptable. It was an insult to all women to say that we should be more streetwise to stop this violence.

“It shows what he really thinks. His position is completely untenable, he should resign immediately. This protest should not be necessary.”

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Freya Kesteven also said:

“In my opinion a lot of violence against women and victim blaming starts in schools, I don’t think girls are safe at school.

“The behaviour is not challenged and I think it can lead to extreme incidents like the Sarah Everard case. So I felt awful reading Mr Allott’s comments.”

They urged people passing by to sign a petition.

Hannah Ruddy added:

“I was very, very shocked. I studied criminal law, I would say that I am intelligent and clued up, I keep myself safe. But I would have got in that car.

“What needs to happen is the police need to start getting to the root of all of this, they need to take complaints more seriously.”

A man at the protest who wanted to show support for Mr Allott, but did not wish to be named, said:

“I think the comments were made with good intent. I don’t think he was trying to demonise or victimise women.

“We all have to take more personal responsibility for our own safety. Like Mr Allott I am only saying that in the wider context, not for Sarah Everard’s case.”

More than 160 people signed the petition.

The Stray Ferret approached the PFCC’s office but it did not wish to comment on the protest today but pointed us back to Mr Allott’s apology on Twitter:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”