WIREDGOV

We will not make a referral to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following an investigation into complaints made against a former South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

It was alleged by two complainants that Shaun Wright had committed perjury when giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) on 9 September 2014 when he was still Police and Crime Commissioner. Our investigation followed a referral from the South Yorkshire Police’s Police and Crime Panel following those complaints.

Mr Wright gave evidence, under oath, regarding his knowledge of allegations of widespread child sexual abuse (CSA) in Rotherham. It was alleged by the complainants that he wrongly denied having knowledge of the scale of CSA in Rotherham during his time as cabinet member for children’s services at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, between 2005 and 2010.

Our investigation included a thorough review of the transcripts from the HASC meeting where the alleged offence took place, and included interviews with Mr Wright and a key independent witness. We also reviewed documents concerning CSA in the town, which Mr Wright was alleged to have received during his time at the council.

Sarah Green, the IOPC’s regional director who oversaw this investigation, recently 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.”

Our investigation started in June 2017 and was completed in August 2018.