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Sir Norman Bettison resigns from West Yorkshire Police | Sir Norman Bettison resigns from West Yorkshire Police |
(35 minutes later) | |
West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison has resigned. | |
The resignation comes as his role in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is being investigated. | The resignation comes as his role in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is being investigated. |
At the time of the tragedy he was a South Yorkshire Police inspector who attended the match as a spectator and later took part in an internal inquiry. | |
West Yorkshire Police Authority said media attention and the investigation by the police watchdog were "proving to be a huge distraction for the force". | |
Sir Norman has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over allegations he provided misleading information after the disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died. | |
His resignation comes after candidates bidding to become West Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner called for him to stand down now rather than retire in March as planned. | |
In a statement, Sir Norman said: "The police authority, and some of the candidates in the forthcoming PCC elections, have made it clear that they wish me to go sooner. | |
"I do so, not because of any allegations about the past, but because I share the view that this has become a distraction to policing in West Yorkshire now and in the future." |