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Sir Norman Bettison resigns over Hillsborough inquiry | |
(35 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. |
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 disaster 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". | Sir Norman said questions over his role had become a "distraction to policing". |
He had been due to retire in March but had faced calls for him to go early. | He had been due to retire in March but had faced calls for him to go early. |
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. | |
"I would now like to know what payments and pension he's going to get. | |
"Any financial benefits should be frozen until the outcome of the investigation into the cover-up." | |
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". | 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". |
Statements altered | |
Sir Norman has been referred to the IPCC over allegations he provided misleading information after the disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died. | Sir Norman has been referred to the IPCC over allegations he provided misleading information after the disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died. |
Last month, href="http://hillsborough.independent.gov.uk/" >a report by the Independent Hillsborough Panel revealed 164 police statements by South Yorkshire Police were altered - 116 of them to remove or change negative comments about the policing of the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Sheffield stadium. | |
It revealed a cover-up took place to shift the blame on to the victims, and that 41 of the 96 who died could have potentially been saved if they had received treatment earlier. | |
Sir Norman's 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, he 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. | |
'Deep concerns' | |
"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. | The police authority said Deputy Chief Constable John Parkinson would take up the role of acting chief constable. |
A Home Office spokesperson said Sir Norman's resignation was "a matter for the police authority". | |
Policing minister Damian Green said it was important that the West Yorkshire force was able to get on with the job of policing. | |
"If the inevitable deep concerns surrounding all of this - which, clearly, would be very, very understandable - were getting in the way of doing that job, then it is clearly sensible to allow West Yorkshire Police to get on with their important work." |