No appeal over High Court ruling on ousting of Chief Constable

The row between the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the ex-top officer of South Yorkshire Police has already cost the public an estimated £250,000 in court costs.

The High Court last week ruled against Dr Alan Billings’ decision to suspend and forcibly remove David Crompton (pictured) from his post following statements he made in the wake of the Hillsborough inquest verdicts in April last year.

After the court’s findings were published last Friday, Mr Crompton said: “The judgment concludes Dr Billings acted unlawfully from start to finish, branding his course of decision making ‘irrational, perverse, unreasonable, misconceived and wholly disproportionate’.

Dr Billings said he would consider an appeal and was disappointed with the decision.

But today he said: "I will not be appealing the decision. Instead, I will be supporting the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners in dealing with the constitutional issues raised by the judgement through Parliamentary means rather than engaging in an expensive legal process.

“I don’t believe it is in the interests of the South Yorkshire public to commit any further funds and I feel that what South Yorkshire Police needs now is a period of stability.”

Mr Crompton was criticised for an apology he made on the day the Hillsborough inquest returned its unlawful killing verdicts. 

His words appeared to justify the force’s heavy questioning during the hearings, which caused victims’ families distress.

Following his suspension Mr Crompton was forced to resign on September 29 by the PCC, despite the move not being backed by Sir Thomas Winsor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

Mr Crompton’s resignation came just two months before he was due to retire.