Ripon MP Julian Smith calls for police commissioner Philip Allott to go

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has said North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott “should go” over comments he made in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder.

Mr Allott has faced calls for his resignation after saying Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest by killer police officer Wayne Couzens.

Conservative Mr Allott, who was elected in May, also said women needed to be “streetwise”.

He later apologised for his remarks, but indicated he would remain in post.

MP Julian Smith, a Conservative himself and former chief whip, has now spoken out saying Mr Allott had lost the trust of women.

He tweeted on Monday:

“Recent comments of the NY Police & Crime Commissioner were completely unacceptable.

“Prior to Thursday’s Police & Crime Panel meeting to discuss the PCC’s future I believe the PCC has lost trust of women and victims groups & should go.”

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Mr Smith’s tweet was supported by North Yorkshire’s former Conservative PFCC Julia Mulligan who replied: “Thank you Julian for speaking out.”

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will meet on Thursday with discussion of Mr Allott’s comments forming part of the agenda.

He is expected to face questions over his remarks made to BBC Radio York on 1 October – the day after the sentencing of Wayne Couzens, who tricked Ms Everard by falsely arresting her for a breach of covid guidelines.

Mr Allott told BBC Radio York:

“A police officer can’t just arrest you. There has to be a reason. So, Covid for example I would classify as a summary offence, it’s not an indictable i.e. sent to prison or potentially go to a Crown Court.

“So women first of all just need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can’t be arrested.

“She should never have been arrested and submitted to that.”

Mr Allott has since repeatedly apologised.

In one apology, he said on Twitter:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

The Stray Ferret also asked Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and Nigel Adams MP, whose Selby constituency includes part of the Harrogate district, if Mr Allott should stay in his role but we did not receive a response.

Crime commissioner asks for full report on Harrogate police incident

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has asked North Yorkshire Police to provide him with a full report of an incident in which police officers appear to knee and punch a man in Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret obtained the clip that was filmed on October 1 by a concerned bystander. It 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 said the man was making threats to kill but the force’s Professional Standards Department was reviewing the conduct of the officers involved.

Mr Allott, who is under pressure following controversial comments about the murder of Sarah Everard, told the Stray Ferret he has asked North Yorkshire Police to provide a full report on the circumstances of the incident.

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A spokesperson for the College of Policing, an arms-length body of the Home Office which sets standards for key areas of policing, said it would not comment on specific incidents but any use of force must be “necessary, proportionate, justifiable and legal”.

The spokesperson said:

“In general terms, when it comes to use of force, officers and staff would be expected to exercise their professional judgement to make decisions based on the circumstances they were faced with.

“The use of force/restraint must be necessary, proportionate, justifiable and legal. All officers are required to account for and justify their actions using the National Decision Model.”

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 business group uninvites Philip Allott from meeting

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce has withdrawn an invitation to Philip Allott to speak at its November meeting.

The group invites prominent figures from local government, charity and business to address members on topics related to Harrogate at its monthly meetings.

Mr Allott, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, was due to speak about his role, current policing and his priorities for the future.

However, the commissioner has received heavy criticism following comments on BBC Radio York on Friday about the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.

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

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said the group had withdrawn its offer to Mr Allott.

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Mr Simister said:

“We had initially invited North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to speak at this meeting, but this offer was withdrawn on Monday morning.

“Instead, we have invited the team behind delivering the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway project to present the next stage of the consultation process, which includes revised plans and detailed drawings.

“Due to the importance of this subject, we will be making this an open meeting to all town centre businesses, as we want them to fully appreciate the implications the scheme will have on them and their customers.

“During the open networking session, taking place between 5.30pm and 6.15pm, attendees will have an opportunity to examine the plans, give feedback, and submit questions to be put to the delivery team at the meeting following their presentation.”

Labour leader Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV personality Piers Morgan have been among those condemning Mr Allott’s comments and calling for his resignation. More than 8,000 people have signed a petition calling on him to step down.

The Stray Ferret emailed Mr Allott’s office for a response. His office sent a link to an apology he made over the weekend, which said.

“I would like to reiterate my heartfelt apology for my comments on BBC Radio York on Friday October 1, which I realise were both misconceived and insensitive and have caused upset and distress. I have withdrawn the remarks.”

Philip Allott: ‘I have much to learn’ but no resignation

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has admitted he has “much to learn” about male violence against women and girls but did not mention resigning.

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition calling on Philip Allot to resign following comments he made on BBC Radio York on Friday about the murder of Sarah Everard.

In the interview, Mr Allott said women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Labour leader Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, London mayor Sadiq Khan and TV personality Piers Morgan have been among those condemning his comments and calling for his resignation.

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Locally, protestors gathered near the war memorial in Harrogate yesterday to coincide with a public engagement meeting organised by the commissioner’s office, which Mr Allott did not attend.

Knaresborough resident Mr Allott, who was elected in May to succeed fellow Conservative Julia Mulligan, said in a statement:

“I would like to reiterate my heartfelt apology for my comments on BBC Radio York on Friday 1 October, which I realise were both misconceived and insensitive and have caused upset and distress. I have withdrawn the remarks.

“Clearly, I have much to learn, so as well as committing to working ever more closely with subject-matter expert colleagues in my own organisation and beyond, I will be seeking meetings as soon as possible with local partner organisations across North Yorkshire and the City of York that provide services to tackle male violence against women and girls, in order to deliver on their concerns and broaden my understanding of the issues.

“I hope that all those reading this statement will accept my apology and the commitment I have given to my own learning – and to driving forward positive progress in keeping our communities safe.”

Harrogate protesters tell Philip Allott to go over Sarah Everard comments

Protesters braved the rain and wind in Harrogate today to call on North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) to resign over his Sarah Everard comments.

The group gathered near the war memorial at 11.30am to coincide with a public engagement meeting organised by the PFCC’s office, which Mr Allott did not attend.

It comes after Mr Allott said in an interview with BBC Radio York that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

Those comments sparked widespread anger. Mr Allott’s name trended on Twitter with calls for his resignation yesterday.

Less than 24 hours later a group of Harrogate residents waved placards and organised a petition to call on the PFCC to step down. They gathered more than 160 signatures in under an hour.

“The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner tells us not to trust the police.”

‘Police need to get to the root of the problem’

Margaret Smith, one of the protesters, told the Stray Ferret:

“I think his comments were totally unacceptable. It was an insult to all women to say that we should be more streetwise to stop this violence.

“It shows what he really thinks. His position is completely untenable, he should resign immediately. This protest should not be necessary.”

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Freya Kesteven also said:

“In my opinion a lot of violence against women and victim blaming starts in schools, I don’t think girls are safe at school.

“The behaviour is not challenged and I think it can lead to extreme incidents like the Sarah Everard case. So I felt awful reading Mr Allott’s comments.”

They urged people passing by to sign a petition.

Hannah Ruddy added:

“I was very, very shocked. I studied criminal law, I would say that I am intelligent and clued up, I keep myself safe. But I would have got in that car.

“What needs to happen is the police need to start getting to the root of all of this, they need to take complaints more seriously.”

A man at the protest who wanted to show support for Mr Allott, but did not wish to be named, said:

“I think the comments were made with good intent. I don’t think he was trying to demonise or victimise women.

“We all have to take more personal responsibility for our own safety. Like Mr Allott I am only saying that in the wider context, not for Sarah Everard’s case.”

More than 160 people signed the petition.

The Stray Ferret approached the PFCC’s office but it did not wish to comment on the protest today but pointed us back to Mr Allott’s apology on Twitter:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

Police commissioner trends with calls for his resignation

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is facing thousands of calls for his resignation for comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard.

Philip Allott told the BBC today that women “need to be streetwise” about police powers and that Ms Everard should “never have submitted to arrest”.

Mr Allott initially defended his comments by saying he was not blaming the victim on Twitter before he deleted the Tweet and apologised.

However, his apology has not stemmed a tide of fury on Twitter. More than a thousand people commented on his apology in under an hour.

These comments are completely obscene. It is victim blaming 101.

The onus should never be on women to change their behaviour, but on men, our institutions and society to reform. https://t.co/U8SThWM6tb

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) October 1, 2021

These comments are appalling. It’s not up to women to fix this. It’s not us who need to change. The problem is male violence, not women’s ‘failure’ to find ever more inventive ways to protect ourselves against it. For change to happen, this needs to be accepted by everyone. https://t.co/8oC2c5U9Pj

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 1, 2021

This idiot needs to be fired. Immediately. https://t.co/tNgeEluFWf

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 1, 2021

The police are telling women that women are responsible for whether or not they are attacked or murdered by the police https://t.co/TS8IAtObuY

— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) October 1, 2021

Since then “Philip Allott” has become number one trending in the UK, “Resign” is number seven trending and “Police Commissioner” is number eight trending.

Labour leader Kier Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, and TV personality Piers Morgan were among those expressing anger about Mr Allott’s comments.

The Stray Ferret asked if he would consider his position, Mr Allott said:

“No, I’m not. I have got a great record in protecting women. It was one of my campaign pledges.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday

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Police commissioner apologises for Sarah Everard comments after backlash

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has apologised for comments he made in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Mr Allott faced calls to resign after he said that women “need to be street wise” and that Ms Everard “never should have submitted” to arrest.

The comments sparked a Twitter backlash, including the director of Big Brother Watch, Silkie Carlo, calling for him to resign.

Mr Allott said in a tweet this afternoon:

“I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443954284048039945?s=20

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Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Mr Allott said the commissioner’s office had recently authorised funding for an early prevention and intervention scheme to be launched in about three months’ time, which would target persistent offenders who have committed up to two crimes.

He recently told councillors in North Yorkshire that the scheme would involve public health work “because if we can break that cycle we will not only save the public purse  fortune in terms of locking people up, we will actually stop them reoffending”.

The Stray Ferret asked if he would consider his position, Mr Allott said:

“No, I’m not. I have got a great record in protecting women.

“It was one of my campaign pledges.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday

Police commissioner urged to resign after Sarah Everard comments

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner faced calls to resign today for comments made in the wake of the Sarah Everard murder.

Philip Allott told the BBC that women “need to be streetwise” about police powers and that Ms Everard should “never have submitted to arrest”.

The comments have been criticised by campaigners, including Reclaim the Streets, which held a vigil in York in memory of Ms Everard.

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough, took to social media to defend his comments.

He tweeted:

“Nobody is blaming the victim what I am saying is that we need to inform women far better of their rights, something I intend to action here in North Yorkshire ASAP.”

https://twitter.com/philAllottPFCC/status/1443932825313501194?s=20

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However, he subsequently faced calls to resign his position following the comments.

Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, responded to Mr Allott to say:

“I know my rights! If I was arrested by a police officer with a badge & handcuffs during lockdown, I would have no choice. 

“Jess Phillips said the same this morning. It could have been any of us. She stood no chance. How dare you say she “submitted”. Please, for our safety, resign.”

Mr Allott’s comments come as murderer Wayne Couzens, a Met Police officer, had falsely arrested 33-year-old Ms Everard in order to abduct her.

Couzens was given a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday.

 

Average speed checks could be introduced in North Yorkshire

Average speed camera checks could be introduced on rural roads and built-up areas across North Yorkshire, it has emerged.

While authorities in the county have repeatedly ruled out using fixed speed cameras as a deterrent, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Philip Allott, has told highways bosses he is considering the system with a view to prosecuting more speeding drivers.

Mr Allott previously said he had concerns over North Yorkshire Police’s 12 mobile speed camera vans, which were introduced in 2011, and that getting to grips with the issue was among his highest priorities.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways, said he would support average speed cameras because they would be more effective in making drivers comply with the limit.

He added average speed cameras would be suitable for any road and any speed limit.

Cllr Mackenzie said: 

“I think it is a better idea than fixed speed cameras because when people get to know where they are they simply slow down near the camera and speed up afterwards. They are not a particularly good deterrent for people who know the area.

“Clearly this is something for the North Yorkshire Police to decide to do and I’m sure if they do decide to introduce a regime of average speed cameras they will come to us and ask for our views. I am a supporter of anything that deters speeding.”

His comments came after leading councillors questioned whether the force’s speed camera vans were frequently located at predictable locations, reducing their effectiveness.

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Cost of cameras coming down

While the county council has been urged to help redesign roads to reduce injury accidents, senior county councillors questioned whether focusing more on other driving offences, such as illegal parking, and less on speeding would lead to fewer road collisions.

Average speed cameras have become a common sight on motorways and A-roads since they were first used in the UK in 2000. Motoring analysts say the cameras are increasingly sited in 30mph zones.

The cost of average speed cameras has fallen significantly in recent years and with increases in technology, the two cameras can be as little as 75m apart. Supporters of the system claim the only way drivers can guarantee to avoid average speed camera fines is to comply with the limit.

RAC Foundation research, published in 2016 focusing on 25 average speed camera sites, found they led to a 36% reduction in the rate of fatal and serious collisions in the post-installation period.