Knaresborough-based whistleblowing service for emergency workers to launchNorth Yorkshire Police announces changes in response to Wayne Couzens findingsKnaresborough’s ex-crime commissioner launches victims’ charity

Knaresborough’s former crime commissioner Philip Allott is leading a new national charity that will support victims of crimes committed by emergency service staff.

Blue Light Whistle Blowers is in the process of being registered as a charitable incorporated organisation by the Charity Commission.

It will support victims of crimes committed by staff in policing, ambulance trusts and fire and rescue services and advise them on pursuing whistleblowing allegations but will not investigate claims itself.

The organisation, which is seeking a chief executive, aims to generate £100,000 a year to fund its work.

Mr Allott, who resigned as the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in 2021 following comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, said he decided to get involved because emergency services crimes were under-reported.

A telephone hotline and online portal will be set up this year to enable victims to confidentially report wrongdoing.

The organisation said in a statement:

“The charity aims to be the voice of victims and their families and won’t hesitate where necessary to challenge the status quo.

“The charity aim is to hold chief constables, chief fire officers and ambulance trusts to account for these crimes and will produce league tables highlighting the best and worst affected services within the country.”

The service is due to go live in the autumn, initially based on a number of areas including London before it is rolled out nationally.

Bob Blackman (left) and Philip Allott

Mr Allott, chair of the organisation, said:

“Blue Light Whistle Blowers has been set up to be the voice of the voiceless and the silenced. Whistleblowers will support the victims and give them a voice, as for too long they have received little if any support.”

Those involved met MPs and peers, including Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones and Lord Harrogate Timothy Kirkhope at the House of Commons last month, at an event sponsored by Bob Blackman MP, the Conservative MP for Harrow East.

The main picture shows the trustees with Andrew Jones MP. They are (left to right) Tim Cook, Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Philip Allott, Andrew Jones and Adele Winkley.

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Acting police commissioner confirmed after Philip Allott resignation

Jennifer Newberry has been appointed acting North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner after the resignation of Philip Allott.

Ms Newberry, who is a staff member in the commissioner’s office, will take temporary charge for just three weeks ahead of an election to appoint a successor.

The move follows Mr Allott’s resignation last month over comments in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Councillors on the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel voted unanimously to approve Ms Newberry taking temporary charge yesterday.

Ms Newberry told the panel:

“I’m really proud to have my name put forward to be acting commissioner in this interim period.

“I am committed to working collegiately with the executive management team during this period.”

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Simon Dennis, chief executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Jenni is a public servant of the highest calibre with a background in making a positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“She deservedly has the support of the panel to serve as acting commissioner, a role which must be filled from within the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The whole team will support her to succeed, and I thank her for her dedication, commitment and integrity in putting herself forward.”

A successor to Mr Allott will be elected on November 25 when voters head to the polls.

Candidates for the election have been confirmed with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Women’s Equality Party and an Independent all standing. 

Voters have until November 9 to register to vote. Further details about voting are here.

The full list of candidates is:

North Yorkshire Police vetting details set out following Sarah Everard murder

Vetting procedures for North Yorkshire Police officers have been set out in a new report that aims to reassure residents following the murder of Sarah Everard.

The report by the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner follows its chief executive Simon Dennis saying last month he was not certain about some legal rules regarding the issue.

Resident Susan Galloway had questioned whether the North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel, which scrutinises the commissioner, believed there were sufficient background checks on new recruits and police staff transferring to the North Yorkshire force and if the processes were adequate.

The report highlights how North Yorkshire Police carries out checks on all new recruits, from officers to volunteers, and also enhanced the vetting of transferees a year ago “to ensure we know as much as can be disclosed about the transferee”.

Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, who murdered Ms Everard, had used his warrant card to falsely arrest her just two years after being transferred into the Met from the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, despite having faced indecent exposure allegations.

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The concerns were raised hours before Philip Allott resigned as the county’s commissioner after saying Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by Couzens.

Contractors and staff roles

The report outlines how the force follows the College of Policing vetting code so that anyone working on police and fire service property, including contractors, and also those working remotely with access to police systems have their backgrounds checked.

It details how the force also re-vets transferees, regardless of when they were last vetted by previous current force.

The report says: 

“The checks on transferees are enhanced by more in-depth questions to their force regarding previous complaints, intelligence held on anti-corruption / integrity unit systems, and performance concerns. We only accept new recruits and transferees once vetting clearance has been attained.

“North Yorkshire Police enhanced our vetting of transferees about one year ago, to ensure we know as much as can be disclosed about the transferee. This included no assumptions over information provided by their existing force that everything would be within the history documents provided.”

The report says the force assigns a vetting researcher to undertake a series of checks and wherever there is “a trace”, more detailed research is completed, the conclusions of which are reported to the force vetting manager.

However, the report states while all applicants are required to declare spent convictions there is no requirement for an applicant who is applying to take on a police staff role such as a receptionist, rather than an officer, to declare a conviction or caution.

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.”

Pressure mounts on Philip Allott as LGBTQ+ group withdraws invite

Harrogate LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity has withdrawn an invitation to North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott to the launch of an art event next week.

Mr Allott was due to attend a Speaking Out exhibition at Cold Bath Brewing Co on King’s Road on Monday evening. The exhibition explores the experiences of Harrogate’s LGBTQ+ community through oral history recordings, objects and photographs.

But following Mr Allott’s comments on BBC Radio York about the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met Police officer, Leonora Wassell, chair of Pride in Diversity, told the Stray Ferret she has asked him to stay away from the event.

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

Ms Wassell said she was “disappointed and appalled” by his comments.

She said:

“Pride in Diversity has valued the work of the North Yorkshire Police and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and are grateful for the funding towards our Speaking Out project from the office.

“We have worked hard to foster a good working relationship and wish to acknowledge the tireless work of NYP to break down barriers and work within marginalised communities.

“However, the recent comments by Mr Allott has left us both disappointed and appalled at the attitude expressed by him. Despite him retracting his statement we believe untold damage has been done to this hard work.

“We remain committed to working closely with NYP and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner but feel unable to work with Mr Allott.”

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The Harrogate & District Law Society committee’s also released a statement this morning that said trust in Mr Allott has been “irretrievably lost” and he should resign.

Yesterday Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce revealed it has withdrawn an invitation for the Conservative commissioner to speak at its November meeting.

90 complaints to crime panel

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.

A report reveals the panel has had 90 complaints from members of the public about Mr Allott’s BBC interview.

At a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council last night, Conservative council leader Richard Cooper condemned Mr Allott’s comments.

Cllr Cooper said:

“[He needs to] think about what is best for the organisation he leads and best for the safety of women and girls.”

 

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.”

Police commissioner apologises for Sarah Everard comments after backlash

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has apologised for comments he made in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Mr Allott faced calls to resign after he said that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

The comments sparked a Twitter backlash, including the director of Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo, calling for him to resign.

Mr Allott said in a tweet this afternoon:

“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.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443954284048039945?s=20

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Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Mr Allott said the commissioner’s office had recently authorised funding for an early prevention and intervention scheme to be launched in about three months’ time, which would target persistent offenders who have committed up to two crimes.

He recently told councillors in North Yorkshire that the scheme would involve public health work “because if we can break that cycle we will not only save the public purse  fortune in terms of locking people up, we will actually stop them reoffending”.

The Stray Ferret asked if he would consider his position, Mr Allott said:

“No, I’m not. I have got a great record in protecting women.

“It was one of my campaign pledges.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday

Police commissioner urged to resign after Sarah Everard comments

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner faced calls to resign today for comments made in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder.

Philip Allott told the BBC that women “need to be streetwise” about police powers and that Ms Everard should “never have submitted to arrest”.

The comments have been criticised by campaigners, including Reclaim the Streets, which held a vigil in York in memory of Ms Everard.

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, took to social media to defend his comments.

He tweeted:

“Nobody is blaming the victim what I am saying is that we need to inform women far better of their rights, something I intend to action here in North Yorkshire ASAP.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443932825313501194?s=20

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However, he subsequently faced calls to resign his position following the comments.

Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, responded to Mr Allott to say:

“I know my rights! If I was arrested by a police officer with a badge & handcuffs during lockdown, I would have no choice. 

“Jess Phillips said the same this morning. It could have been any of us. She stood no chance. How dare you say she “submitted”. Please, for our safety, resign.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday.