South Yorkshire Police chief suspended on full pay over Hillsborough disaster

Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police David Crompton speaks to media outside the SYP HQ in Sheffield where he said his force "unequivocally" accepts the verdict of unlawful killing and the wider findings reached by the jury in the Hillsborough inquests

The news has broken this afternoon that the police chief has been suspended by South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, The Star can now confirm.

Dr Billings told a press conference today that the decision was made in the wake of critical comments made by Home Secretary Theresa May over South Yorkshire Police’s response to the unlawful killings verdicts in the Hillsborough inquests.

Mr Crompton has been suspended on full pay with immediate effect.

Dr Billings refused to disclose details of the conversation he had with Mr Crompton in which he told the chief constable he was suspended.

The PCC said: “Following the result of the verdicts yesterday, the continuing criticism that has been directed at the Chief Constable and the eroding trust and confidence in South Yorkshire Police I have been left with no choice other than to suspend David Crompton from his duties as Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police.

“I have reached this decision with a heavy heart following discussions with David Crompton both in the run up to, and following the delivery of the Hillsborough verdicts.

“My decision is based on the erosion of public trust and confidence referenced in statements and comments in the House of Commons this lunchtime, along with public calls for the Chief Constable’s resignation from a number of quarters including local MPs.

“The suspension is with immediate effect pending a legal process.

“I said yesterday that I want to work with the Force, the Home Secretary and national policing bodies to continue to develop the qualities and culture within the Force that will rebuild trust and confidence.

“As a result of other retirements this can begin with the establishment of a new senior leadership team. Following the announcement last month by David Crompton, that he was intending to retire in November, I began the planning process for appointing a new Chief Constable.

“The new Chief Constable must provide strong and focussed leadership for South Yorkshire Police with an emphasis on building the trust and confidence of the public in their police force.

“All this means that in the coming months South Yorkshire Police will have a new leadership team who will be able to provide a fresh start and tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

“I am also proposing today a new partnership between the Force and the public, brokered by my office. This will require the new senior leadership team to engage more fully with the people of South Yorkshire in order to learn and improve. This new partnership will also continue to support the work of the Force in embedding the Code of Ethics.”