Under-pressure crime commissioner Philip Allott: ‘I will not resign’

Philip Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, reiterated today that he does not intend to resign.

Mr Allott was interviewed on BBC Look North this lunchtime in what was his first public appearance since his controversial comments about the Sarah Everard murder last Friday.

Back then, he said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Since then more than 9,000 people have signed a petition calling him to go.

Mr Allott told the BBC today:

“I’m deeply sorry for the comments I made. They’re not the kind of language I would usually use. I’m just so horrified how my comments have been seen.”

When asked if he would resign, Mr Allott said he had “reflected” on his position and intended to stay.

He added:

“Because it’s more important that I carry through the mandate I was elected to do.

“83,000 people voted for me in North Yorkshire and York. That’s more than any Member of Parliament.”

Watch the interview below:

A North Yorkshire police boss who claimed women "need to be streetwise" after the Sarah Everard case has said he will not resign.

Philip Allott added he was "deeply sorry" for the comments he made.

Read more here: https://t.co/OgtNI9hr2Q pic.twitter.com/1K9c2SuBkQ

— BBC Yorkshire (@BBCLookNorth) October 8, 2021

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Local fallout

Knaresborough resident Mr Allott has faced widespread criticism in the Harrogate district over the past week, including a protest at the war memorial in Harrogate last Saturday.

Harrogate LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity and business group Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce both withdrew invitations for him to speak at events.

The Harrogate & District Law Society also released a statement that said trust in Mr Allott had been “irretrievably lost” and he should resign.

Harrogate Borough Council Liberal Democrat leader Pat Marsh said Mr Allott “should do the honourable thing and resign” and Conservative council leader Richard Cooper said his comments were “very wrong”.

North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel, which holds the commissioner to account, is due to meet on Thursday next week and Mr Allott’s comments will be on the agenda.

The meeting will begin at 10.30am and will be available to watch online via North Yorkshire County Council’s website.

 

Harrogate town centre to be ‘lit up with literature’

A pair of bicycles are to ride around Harrogate town centre projecting images and handing out free books to promote the forthcoming Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival.

The bikes will set off at around twilight on Friday, October 15 as part of the build-up to the festival, which takes place from October 21 to 24.

The three-wheeled cargo bikes are attached to projectors and stereo systems. Riders will hand out a selection of novels by inviting people they pass to ‘stop me and book one’.

Harrogate International Festivals chief executive Sharon Canavar said:

“Last year, we lit up the Raworths office on Station Parade. This year, we are taking our message to the streets.

“Two special bikes will be riding around the town projecting animations onto buildings and pavements. And for those who stop them, they will not be presented with ices or lollies, but free books.

“These mini mobile cinemas are great fun and a terrific excuse for families to bring out their torches, head into Harrogate, and be part of an entertaining and illuminating experience.”

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This year’s festival speakers include Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, comedian and broadcaster Robin Ince, ‘Dogfather’ Graeme Hall, 2020 Costa Book of the Year winner Monique Roffey and former chief prosecutor, Nazir Afzal

Starbeck and Bilton post offices raise almost £2,000 for local boy

The Red Box post offices in Starbeck and Bilton have raised £1,980 for a five-year-old Harrogate boy with an incurable blood condition.

Archie Flintoft has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which means his bone marrow doesn’t create the red blood cells he needs to survive.

Only 1,000 people worldwide have the condition and Archie needs to go to Leeds General Infirmary for blood transfusions every three weeks just to stay alive. He also has to travel to London for a special check-up two or three times a year.

Two years ago mum Vicky set up a Facebook group called Archie’s Army, where followers can keep up with what Archie’s doing and support fundraising projects that pay for his specialist care. But since covid it’s been difficult to raise money.

The Red Box launched an appeal for funds this year and visitors to the two post offices have donated £760, which was matched by The Red Box. Post Office Ltd also donated £200.

Andrew Hart, who owns The Red Box, said:

“Archie is a bright and vibrant child who, when feeling well, does not let life get him down. He is a huge fan of super heroes, and would love to become one when he grows up! To those who know and love him, he already is.”

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The Red Box has now started a grand Christmas raffle in conjunction with Doors Direct, which hopes to raise a further £5,000 for Archie. First prize is a 50” Smart TV.

Tickets are available from tomorrow at both post offices and online.

Video appears to show Harrogate police officers punching and kneeing man

The Stray Ferret has obtained a video of North Yorkshire Police officers appearing to knee a man and then punch him three times in Harrogate.

The clip shows four police officers attempting to hold the man down while he shouts “get off”.

One officer then appears to knee the man in the head before another officer appears to punch him in the stomach three times.

North Yorkshire Police has said the man was making threats to kill.

The video was filmed in a secluded courtyard in Harrogate town centre by Stephanie Tate on Friday October 1 at about midday.

Ms Tate told the Stray Ferret she decided to film the incident after watching the altercation and becoming concerned about the police’s approach.

She said what she witnessed was “shocking” and made her feel “sick to my stomach”.

Ms Tate said:

“I could hear shouting and thought someone was getting attacked.

“It was really heavy-handed. He was shouting ‘get off, get off’.”

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Ms Tate said it did not appear to her that the officers were using reasonable force. After restraining the man, police took him away in a van.

She added:

“I feel they already had him restrained and there was no need to punch and kick him.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said it was reviewing the conduct of the officers involved.

“At around 11am on 1 October, officers on proactive patrol in Harrogate located a man who was wanted on suspicion of making threats to kill following reports of a man entering Harrogate business premises and being abusive towards staff, including lone women.

“The man did not comply with the officers and they used force to arrest him.

“He was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and obstructing/resisting a police officer. He remains on police bail while the investigation continues.

“We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing part of the incident and a review of the footage is being carried out by the force’s Professional Standards Department regarding the conduct of the officers.”

Stray bonfire and fireworks officially given go-ahead

The 50th Stray bonfire will take place on November 6 after Harrogate Borough Council gave organisers the green light.

The Stray Ferret revealed last month the event was set to go ahead. Now the news has been confirmed.

Harrogate District Round Table was forced to cancel last year’s display due to coronavirus restrictions but it is now preparing for the event to return at its usual spot alongside Oatlands Drive.

Round Table volunteers hope to raise £8,000 to pay for fireworks and additional costs, such as first aid and traffic management, and have set up a gofundme page.

Any extra money generated though the fundraiser, and on the night, will go to Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Round Table said:

“This will be the 50th year Harrogate Round Table has run the Stray charity bonfire and fireworks event and, with your help, we want to run an amazing event the whole community can enjoy.”

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Pressure mounts on Philip Allott as LGBTQ+ group withdraws invite

Harrogate LGBTQ+ non-profit organisation Pride in Diversity has withdrawn an invitation to North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott to the launch of an art event next week.

Mr Allott was due to attend a Speaking Out exhibition at Cold Bath Brewing Co on King’s Road on Monday evening. The exhibition explores the experiences of Harrogate’s LGBTQ+ community through oral history recordings, objects and photographs.

But following Mr Allott’s comments on BBC Radio York about the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving Met Police officer, Leonora Wassell, chair of Pride in Diversity, told the Stray Ferret she has asked him to stay away from the event.

In the interview, Mr Allott said women “need to be streetwise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest. He has since apologised.

Ms Wassell said she was “disappointed and appalled” by his comments.

She said:

“Pride in Diversity has valued the work of the North Yorkshire Police and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and are grateful for the funding towards our Speaking Out project from the office.

“We have worked hard to foster a good working relationship and wish to acknowledge the tireless work of NYP to break down barriers and work within marginalised communities.

“However, the recent comments by Mr Allott has left us both disappointed and appalled at the attitude expressed by him. Despite him retracting his statement we believe untold damage has been done to this hard work.

“We remain committed to working closely with NYP and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner but feel unable to work with Mr Allott.”

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The Harrogate & District Law Society committee’s also released a statement this morning that said trust in Mr Allott has been “irretrievably lost” and he should resign.

Yesterday Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce revealed it has withdrawn an invitation for the Conservative commissioner to speak at its November meeting.

90 complaints to crime panel

North Yorkshire police, fire and crime panel, which holds the commissioner to account, is due to meet on Thursday next week and Mr Allott’s comments will be on the agenda. The meeting will begin at 10.30am and will be available to watch online via North Yorkshire County Council’s website.

A report reveals the panel has had 90 complaints from members of the public about Mr Allott’s BBC interview.

At a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council last night, Conservative council leader Richard Cooper condemned Mr Allott’s comments.

Cllr Cooper said:

“[He needs to] think about what is best for the organisation he leads and best for the safety of women and girls.”

 

Campaigners hand in petition to save Kirkby Malzeard pub

A petition calling for a historic village pub under threat from demolition to be reinstated as an asset of community value has been handed in to Harrogate Borough Council.

More than 500 people have supported the campaign to save the 18th century Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, which has been at the centre of a long-fought battle between villagers and a developer since it closed in 2011.

The building was made an asset of community value six years after it closed, but the protected status was later removed by the council after part of the pub was sold off.

Campaigners were in Harrogate yesterday gathering signatures in support of the bid ahead of a full council meeting.

Richard Sadler, one of the campaigners, told councillors that the pub was an “intrinsic part of the history, culture and identity” of Kirkby Malzeard, but had recently become a “blight” on the village.

He said the council should now “do the right thing” and reinstate the pub’s protected status to stop it from being demolished for housing and so that it can be run by the community.

Mr Sadler said: 

“We have now put together a business plan and have community share pledges for £237,000 to buy the pub.

“But there is a problem. The council has delisted part of it simply because that part was sold off.

“That is why we are asking the council to do the right thing and put the whole pub back as an asset of community value so we have a chance of bringing it back as a thriving pub for future generations.

“This could be a huge boost to our village and the whole region.”

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The council has yet to respond to the petition.

Earlier this year, villagers were dealt a blow to their campaign when a government planning inspector overturned a council decision to refuse permission for part of the pub to be converted into a home.

Inspector Helen Hockenhull said in a report at the time that there was “no reasonable prospect of the public house reopening”.

The status of an asset of community value means buildings must be used by the community and are protected from a change of use or demolition.

The Henry Jenkins is named after the Yorkshire super-centenarian that legend states lived to be 169-years-old.

It is one of the oldest inns in the Harrogate district and is the last of several pubs in the area named after Mr Jenkins who is reputed to have lived from 1500 to 1670.

Taylors of Harrogate wins UN climate change award

Tea and coffee merchant Taylors of Harrogate has been recognised for its efforts to tackle climate change by the United Nations.

The company has been named as one of 11 winners of the UN Global Climate Action Awards and its work will go on display at next month’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

The awards advisory panel praised Taylors for its role in the international small group tree planting programme in Kenya. This scheme works with farmers in rural communities to share knowledge on conservation farming and reforestation.

About 7,500 tea farmers are included in the project across four factories.

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The awards advisory panel praised the company’s “unique programme with its long-term suppliers” that tackled “the interlinked challenges of climate change, smallholder livelihoods and ensuring a continuous supply of quality tea and coffee”.

The company also installed solar panels on its tea and coffee factory, generating almost 200,000 kwh of electricity a year.

UN Climate Change executive secretary Patricia Espinosa said:

“The winners of the 2021 UN Global Climate Action Awards provide tangible proof that solutions to tackle the climate crisis exist and that they can be replicated and quickly scaled up. This is what inspiring leadership looks like.”

Harrogate Town urges fans to buy tickets to Saturday’s game in advance

Harrogate Town is urging fans to buy a ticket for Saturday’s game against Scunthorpe United in advance to avoid disappointment.

The game kicks off at 3pm at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road. It’s been an excellent start to the League 2 campaign for Simon Weaver’s men who are in 2nd place and have only lost one of their opening 10 games.

The team plays struggling Scunthorpe who are bottom of the table.

Tickets will be available online until midnight on Friday October 8 and available in the club’s Commercial Street shop until kick-off on match day. Tickets will also be available from the ticket office window at The EnviroVent Stadium from 9am to 11am on Saturday.

There will be no sales or collections on the turnstiles on the day of the game.

A club spokesman said:

“We are anticipating a big crowd and would advise supporters to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

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Bilton badgers wreak havoc in back garden

Two hungry badgers have been wreaking havoc in a Bilton back garden.

Gemma Jackson, who lives in the Harrogate suburb with her family, awoke one morning this summer to find large holes all over her lawn.

She bought a night-vision wildlife camera from eBay to try and find the culprit and was surprised to find two large badgers caught in the act searching for grubs.

She said:

“It was a surprise but my kids absolutely love them. My daughter has named them Thomas and Rosie.”

Despite the mess they’ve caused, the family enjoys looking at the night vision camera the next day to see if they’ve had their visitors. The badgers usually come between 11pm and 3.30am.

The badgers are developing a reputation as Bilton’s most famous animals, following the controversial exile of Peter the Peacock earlier this year.

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Ms Jackson thinks they might have wandered over from badger setts in Nidd Gorge to search for food.

She says she feels honoured to have them visit her garden, but wants them to stop as she is worried about the animals spreading disease.

“There’s nothing you can do because they are protected. So I’ve been blocking holes they come in. That’s what I’ve tried to do anyway, but they’ve just dug underneath!

“I must have a very good back garden for grubs.

“I’m quite honoured to have them.”