No charges for ex-police chief over Rotherham child abuse scandal perjury claims

Former South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Shaun Wright will not face any charges in relation to an allegation he lied to MPs about his knowledge of the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday it has decided not make a referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after an investigation.

The IOPC inquiry followed allegations by two complainants that Mr Wright had committed perjury when he gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) in September 2014 as he appeared before MPs to answer questions.

Mr Wright, who was PCC at the time, was asked by the committee about his knowledge of allegations of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham in the wake of the 2014 Jay Report, which laid bare how more than 1,400 children were victims of the abuse in the town between 1997 and 2013.

He was at the centre of a political storm in the aftermath of the report as he had been cabinet member for children’s services at Rotherham Council between 2005 and 2010.

Mr Wright eventually resigned from his PCC position.

The IOPC said its investigation included a thorough review of the transcripts of the committee and included interviews with Mr Wright and a “key independent witness”.

It also said it reviewed documents concerning CSE in the town that Mr Wright was alleged to have received during his time at the council.

Sarah Green, the IOPC’s regional director, who oversaw this investigation, said: “We have now concluded our detailed investigation into the very serious allegation that Shaun Wright committed perjury when he gave evidence to HASC in 2014.

“I have given this matter very careful consideration and, on the basis of the evidence we have gathered, I have determined that the report does not indicate that a criminal offence may have been committed.

“Therefore, we will not refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether any criminal charges should be brought.

“We have now published our findings in full.”