Police commissioner: Who is standing to succeed Philip Allott in North Yorkshire?

Following the resignation of Philip Allott, voters will head to the polls again in November to elect a new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Political parties have been announcing their candidates for polling day.

An election will be held on November 25. Voters have until November 9 to register to vote.

Here are the candidates announced to contest the commissioner position.

Conservative candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe.

Conservative candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe.

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate and North Yorkshire councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will be standing for the Conservative party.

Ms Metcalfe said she “will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.

She said:

“I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Yorkshire.

“I am passionate about making our communities and societies safe, especially for women and girls, on the streets and at home, day and night.

“People living and working across North Yorkshire want to feel safe and have full confidence in their police and fire services.

“I can assure people I will stop at nothing to ensure both services are the best they can possibly be for the benefit of everyone across the county.”

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Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

23-year-old Emma Scott-Spivey, who was born and went to school in Harrogate, will contest the role for Labour.

Ms Scott-Spivey said she would prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs and crackdown on crime against the elderly, if elected as commissioner.

She said:

“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Phillip Allott must be repaired.

“People in North Yorkshire need a commissioner who recognises their concerns and works to address them. One who puts local people above party politics.

“And our police and fire services must have a commissioner who they can trust, who understands the sacrifices they make every day and the pressures the face. They need a commissioner who will fight to make sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

James Barker, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

James Barker, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

James Barker, Liberal Democrats

City of York councillor, James Barker, has put himself forward for the commissioner’s office.

Mr Barker, who served in the military for 24 years, also stood for the role in May.

At the last election, he told the Stray Ferret that he wanted to “explore why” more officers were not on the frontline and pledged to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ripon.

Mr Barker said:

“We are England’s largest county but not everyone is truly represented. How often do you see a copper?

“I want to explore reasons why we cannot get more coppers on the streets. I want to try and release more to the frontline.”

Keith Tordoff, who will be standing as an independent candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Keith Tordoff, who will be standing as an independent candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Keith Tordoff, the former Pateley Bridge businessman, has decided to stand again for the commissioner’s office.

Mr Tordoff said the commissioner’s role needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.

He added that he would also tackle anti-social behaviour and make police officers more visible in communities.

He said:

“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.

“I have got police experience and business experience.”

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown the Women’s Equality Party candidate.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown has said that if she is elected her first step would be to launch an independent inquiry into misogyny and sexism in North Yorkshire Police.

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, has said that ending gender-based violence “must be at the heart of this election”.

Dr Barham-Brown is well-known for her campaigning work on both women’s and disabled people’s rights. She said:

“Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.

“We were let down by Philip Allott as our PFCC who proved he didn’t understand the importance of ending violence against women and girls with his disgraceful, victim blaming comments.

“But our community did not accept that and now it’s time to finish the job.”

 

 

Women’s Equality Party puts forward police commissioner candidate

The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) has put forward a candidate for the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) by-election following the resignation of Philip Allott.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, who is well-known for her campaigning work on both women’s and disabled people’s rights, is set to contest the role.

While some candidates for this election stood at the previous election in May when Mr Allott won, this is the first time that Dr Barham-Brown has put herself forward for North Yorkshire’s PFCC.

If elected, she said her first step would be to launch an independent inquiry into misogyny and sexism in North Yorkshire Police.

Dr Barham-Brown, the Women’s Equality Party candidate for the North Yorkshire PFCC by-election said:

“If elected as PFCC I will put ending violence against women and girls at the top of the policing and political agenda.

“Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.

“We were let down by Philip Allott as our PFCC who proved he didn’t understand the importance of ending violence against women and girls with his disgraceful, victim blaming comments.

“But our community did not accept that and now it’s time to finish the job.”

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The PFCC is being held following the resignation of Mr Allott, who stepped down after his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of official complaints and a vote of no confidence.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, added:

“Ending gender-based violence must be at the heart of this election, so we can build a better future for women and girls in North Yorkshire.

“I am delighted that Dr Hannah Barham-Brown is contesting this election for the Women’s Equality Party.

“We need real political leadership that focuses on accountability and preventing violence against women, not just managing it.”

Other candidates for the PFCC role

Liberal Democrats confirm police commissioner candidate

The Liberal Democrats have announced that a City of York councillor will stand for the party at next month’s North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.

James Barker, who stood for the position in May, is set to contest the commissioner role again.

Mr Barker, who served 24 years in the military, has also served as a scout leader and rugby coach.

At the last election, he told the Stray Ferret that he wanted to “explore why” more officers were not on the frontline and pledged to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ripon.

Read more:

An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, Labour have confirmed that 23-year-old student paramedic, Emma Scott-Spivey, will contest the election.

Keith Tordoff, a former businessman in Pateley Bridge, will also be standing as an independent candidate.

Former Pateley Bridge businessman to stand again for police commissioner

Former Pateley Bridge businessman Keith Tordoff has announced he will stand again for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tordoff, who used to own the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World in the town, said he was standing in the November election because he felt the commissioner’s office was in “a state of shambles”.

Mr Tordoff stood for the role in May and received 22,338 votes.

An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Mr Tordoff, who will stand as an independent candidate, said the commissioner needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.

He said:

“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.

“I have got police experience and business experience.”

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When asked how he would tackle violence against women and girls, Mr Tordoff said he had an “understanding of working with victims” as a former police officer.

He said:

“I have a background in the police, I have the understanding.

“My position has the most experience.”

Mr Tordoff said his pledges from May remained in place. They included tackling anti-social behaviour, making police more visible and freeing up officers to go out into the community.

He also reiterated his pledge to donate £20,000 of his commissioner salary to registered charities. The police, fire and crime commissioner is paid £74,400 a year.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, Labour have confirmed that 23-year-old student paramedic, Emma Scott-Spivey, will contest the election.

Labour announces North Yorkshire police commissioner candidate

The Labour Party has announced its candidate for the upcoming North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election.

Emma Scott-Spivey, 23, from Thirsk, will stand for the party on polling day next month.

An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Ms Scott-Spivey, a student paramedic, was born and went to school in Harrogate. She is the daughter of two police officers.

She said she wants to rebuild trust in the commissioner’s office and prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs and crackdown on crime against the elderly.

Ms Scott-Spivey said:

“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Phillip Allott must be repaired.

“People in North Yorkshire need a commissioner who recognises their concerns and works to address them. One who puts local people above party politics.

“And our police and fire services must have a commissioner who they can trust, who understands the sacrifices they make every day and the pressures the face. They need a commissioner who will fight to make sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

Read more:

Ms Scott-Spivey added that she applied for the position after hearing Mr Allott’s comments in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder case.

She added:

“When I heard Phillip Allott’s comments about Sarah Everard and his view of endemic violence against women, I thought of every patient I’d ever attended in an emergency who was unwilling to involve the police.”

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Keith Tordoff will also stand.

Conservatives select Harrogate councillor as police commissioner candidate

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for next month’s election to replace Philip Allott as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Allott resigned earlier this month after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence by the county’s police and crime panel.

Mr Allott – who was elected in May – said Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise” about powers of arrest.

His resignation means an election to find a replacement will now take place on November 25.

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Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe is a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, and also works as project manager for a property company.

She said her campaign “will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.

Ms Metcalfe said:

“I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Yorkshire.

“I am passionate about making our communities and societies safe, especially for women and girls, on the streets and at home, day and night.

“People living and working across North Yorkshire want to feel safe and have full confidence in their police and fire services.

“I can assure people I will stop at nothing to ensure both services are the best they can possibly be for the benefit of everyone across the county.”

Bishop of Ripon: Police boss has ‘done the right thing’ to resign

The Bishop of Ripon says North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has “done the right thing” in resigning after his comments on the Sarah Everard case.

However, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley said Mr Allott should not have delayed his decision and resigned “immediately” after he urged women to be “streetwise” about arrest powers in a BBC Radio York interview on October 1.

Mr Allott, who was elected in May, sparked outrage after also saying Ms Everard never should have “submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

The Conservative commissioner faced increasing pressure to quit, but only did so after hundreds of complaints and a vote of no confidence by the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel yesterday.

Speaking after this, Dr Hartley said:

“He should have resigned immediately because I felt pretty much straight away his position had become untenable.

“I was surprised he did not do this and did not have the sufficient self-awareness to realise he had completely undermined credibility in his role.

“Now, we need to ensure that the issues brought to the fore by the horrific murder of Sarah Everard are followed up with some degree of urgency.”

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Dr Hartley also said Mr Allott’s resignation highlighted a flaw in the system as unlike MPs, there is no legislation to recall police commissioners.

She said: 

“This sheds light on the fact that it is difficult, if not impossible, to remove somebody from this post.

“The fact it got as far as it did, particularly to the vote of no confidence, exposes a flaw in the system of how people in elected roles like this can be held to account for the things they say.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“The Harrogate Lib Dems are so pleased that Philip Allott has eventually seen sense and done the right thing and resigned from his role as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

“His position was untenable after his highly insensitive remarks made about Female behaviour in the wake of the tragic death of Sarah Everard. After the unanimous vote of no confidence in Mr Allott by the County’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel it was difficult for him to continue in the role.”

Just hours after yesterday’s vote of no confidence, Mr Allott announced his resignation in a letter saying he spent the past two weeks trying “to rebuild trust and confidence”, but would “do the decent thing” and leave his post.

He later tweeted:

“After the Police and Crime Panel meeting today, I have subsequently tendered my resignation as I have become the story, and therefore a distraction to protecting victims of violence. 

“I am so sorry I cannot deliver on my program of preventing male violence against women and girls. Doing what’s right is hard.”

Another meeting of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel will now be arranged to appoint an interim Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, while plans are put in place for another election.

Philip Allott resignation: what happens now?

After just five months in charge, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has resigned.

Mr Allott came under fire for saying murdered Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

The comments sparked a backlash from the public and his fellow Conservative politicians.

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and county council leader Carl Les were among the senior Tories who called for him to step down.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, however, did not speak out until after Mr Allott resigned,

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Hours before his resignation, councillors on the county’s police panel passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Allott.

Following the meeting, Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, said in his resignation statement that the vote left his ability to carry out the commissioner role “exceptionally difficult, if it is possible at all”.

What happens now?

Following the resignation of Mr Allott, the office of North Yorkshire, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be led by an acting commissioner.

Simon Dennis, chief executive of the commissioner’s office, confirmed the position will be taken by an existing member of staff.

Cllr Carl Les, chairman of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, added:

“We will convene a special meeting of the panel to appoint an interim police, fire and crime commissioner for North Yorkshire, while arrangements are put in place for the election of a new commissioner at the appropriate time.

“We hope the news of Mr Allott’s resignation means the focus looking ahead will be on the needs of victims of crime and specifically initiatives which will help all women and young girls to be safe and protected here and across the country.”

The election for a new commissioner will be organised by police area returning officer and Selby District Council chief executive, Janet Waggott.

It is currently unclear when voters will head to the polls.

At May’s election, Mr Allott received 83,737 of the first and second-preference votes.

Labour candidate Alison Hume was second with 53,442 votes.

Independent Keith Tordoff, who finished third with 22,338 votes from the first round of votes, has indicated he will stand again.

Police commissioner Philip Allott resigns

Philip Allott, North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, has resigned from his position.

Mr Allott came under increasing pressure to step down after saying Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

His resignation comes as councillors passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership and fellow Conservative politicians, including Ripon MP Julian Smith, called for him to resign.

In a statement, Mr Allott said:

“Over the past two weeks I have tried to rebuild trust and confidence in my work as York and North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.  I needed to do that following comments I made on an interview with Radio York regarding the horrific abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

“I need to be clear.  I apologise unreservedly for my remarks.  They do not reflect my views.  I misspoke and I am devastated at the effect that this has had on victims of crime and the groups that support them. I have tried to say this again and again but I recognise that what I have said has not always been heard as I intended.

“I had hoped I could rebuild trust, to restore confidence.  I was pleased that so many victims groups had accepted that I was genuinely sorry and were willing to work with me to help me in the mammoth task I had ahead.

“Following this morning’s meeting of the Police and Crime Panel it seems clear to me that the task will be exceptionally difficult, if it is possible at all.  It would take a long time and a lot of resources of my office and the many groups who do excellent work supporting victims.

“This is time victims do not have.  There are women and girls in York and North Yorkshire today suffering at the hands of men.  Victims and the groups who support them need to be heard.  They cannot be heard if the airwaves are filled with discussion about my future.

“That is why I am doing the honourable thing and resigning as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – to restore confidence in the office which I believe will be almost impossible for me to do, and to enable victims’ voices to be heard clearly without the distraction of the continued furore which surrounds me.

“I entered public life because I wanted to make a difference.  I still do.  So, I am committing myself to doing all I can as a private individual to support victims groups.  The pledge I made as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was genuine.  It is one I will keep.

“I would like to thank my office and especially my Chief Executive for his help and support, especially during the last two weeks which has been a challenging time for everyone at the OPFCC.

“Whoever the new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be I wish them every success in what is one of the most demanding but rewarding jobs in the UK.”

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Mr Allott was elected to the position back in May 2021 with 83,737 votes.

Simon Dennis, Chief Executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, added:

“The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will now arrange the appointment of an acting Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to be chosen in accordance with the law, from amongst the staff of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

“Further announcements will be made by the Panel in due course.

“In the meantime, the staff of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire and York will continue to work to protect communities, support victims and keep residents safe and feeling safe.”

Councillors pass ‘no confidence’ vote in police commissioner Philip Allott

Councillors on a police scrutiny panel have called for North Yorkshire’s crime commissioner Philip Allott to resign and passed a motion of no confidence in him.

Mr Allott has come under increasing pressure to step down after saying Sarah Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative chair of the panel and leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told Mr Allott “you must consider your position now”.

Mr Allott gave a statement to the panel which reiterated his apology and said he was “undertaking training” to understand violence against women and girls.

However, he said he wanted to “see through” his position.

The panel, which met today, unanimously passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Allott.

‘You must consider your position now’

Cllr Les said a letter from Mr Allott’s own staff raised concern over his comments and his behaviour was handed to the panel.

He added:

“in my opinion you do not say how it addresses the issues, the anger and the hurt.

“I have been taking soundings in our council before the letter from your staff was received. We have lost confidence in you now and that is frustrating.

“You must consider your position now.”

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Meanwhile, Cllr Helen Grant, the only female panel member present, told Mr Allott:

“I am shocked that despite the public outcry, despite the petition and despite the crass comments, you are still sitting in your position.”

Commissioner confident he can ‘win back confidence’

Mr Allott told the panel that he had “some shortcomings in terms of my understanding in terms of violence against women and girls”.

He said that he had started training “at his own expense” to understand the issue and admitted that his answer during the BBC Radio York interview was “a car crash”.

Mr Allott went onto say that his answer “did not represent” his view and pointed to a list of measures that he had commissioned, including victims support services.

But, Mr Allott said he would not resign and wanted to continue in his role.

He said:

“The issue is whether I can regain trust. If I cannot regain trust, then I will do the honourable thing.”

Mr Allott went on to tell the panel that he believed he “could win back confidence”.

The police, fire and crime panel has no legal power to remove Mr Allott from his position.

Cllr Les expressed frustration at the panel’s lack of power and said he intended to write to government to ask for a “right of recall” for police commissioners.