Probe begins into claims former crime tsar lied on oath about child sex abuse scandal

THE police watchdog has begun its independent investigation into whether former South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright lied to MPs over the Rotherham child abuse scandal.
Shaun WrightShaun Wright
Shaun Wright

The complaints relate to evidence Mr Wright gave at a Home Affairs Select Committee hearing in 2014, while he was still in office, where he gave evidence under oath about his knowledge of allegations of widespread child sexual abuse in the town.

It is specifically alleged that he denied having knowledge of CSE during his time as Rotherham Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services between 2005 and 2010.

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Sarah Green, IPCC deputy chairwoman, said: “The IPCC can only investigate a police and crime commissioner if the allegations made are serious enough to be potentially deemed criminal. 

“We are investigating, because at the time the evidence was given, Mr Wright was still South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Our investigation will involve analysing the evidence given at HASC and we will take statements and conduct interviews with any relevant witnesses that we identify as the investigation progresses.”

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