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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. Sir Norman Bettison has resigned as chief constable of West Yorkshire Police, saying an inquiry into his role after the Hillsborough tragedy was "a distraction" to the force.
The resignation comes as his role in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster is being investigated. At the time of the disaster he was a South Yorkshire Police inspector who attended the match as a spectator and later took part in an internal inquiry.
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. Sir Norman said questions over his role had become a "distraction to policing".
West Yorkshire Police Authority said media attention and the investigation by the police watchdog were "proving to be a huge distraction for the force". He had been due to retire in March but had faced calls for him to go early.
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. Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, said: "I'm absolutely delighted he's gone but as far as I am concerned he should have been sacked."
West Yorkshire Police Authority said media attention and the investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) were "proving to be a huge distraction for the force".
Sir Norman has been referred to the IPCC 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.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.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.""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."
The police authority said Deputy Chief Constable John Parkinson would take up the role of acting chief constable.