Officials with no concept of their failure

COURTESY of The Yorkshire Post, I watched the appearance of the “Rotherham Five” before the Parliamentary Home Affairs Select Committee.

I have never, ever, seen such a display of mendacious arrogance as was exhibited by those people. They gave the impression it was all just a game which they had to win to save their jobs and salaries and the only victims were themselves. Any remorse expressed was for “poor me” and their selective memories had to be seen to be disbelieved. The unfortunate 1,400 victims and their families will never receive any real consideration, sympathy or closure while these uncaring, self-centered and pompous charlatans remain in post.

Despite their mealy-mouthed mea culpas, they believe they have done no wrong, the world has conspired against them and they are the ones we should all feel sorry for. Until they are removed in their entirety the victims, their families and the good people of Rotherham have no chance of moving forward and repairing the damage these people have caused.

From: John Andrews, Carterknowle Avenue, Sheffield.

THEY still don’t get it do they? Watching the Home Affairs Select committee, it was apparent that those being questioned over the Rotherham child abuse scandal had no concept of what is required to prove one’s adequacy in a role.

It’s not the trying hard that matters (commissioning and writing reports, chairing dedicated meetings, organising seminars, setting up specialist groups) it’s the achievement of results. Full stop.

The witnesses (as opposed to the Committee) were chillingly unruffled and articulate, and one wonders whether it was these qualities that were deemed more important in their appointments than any zeal. The claim by these top individuals that they are part of the solution is also true; their dismissals would send out shockwaves that might not only ultimately benefit many more abused kids but set new standards in public service.

From: Roger Dobson, Ash Street, Crosshills.

FOR the sake of the children in Rotherham, police commissioner Shaun Wright and Joyce Thacker, head of children’s services at the council, must resign immediately. They have no excuse, with them still in place the situation can only get worse.

From: Barry Foster, Whitby.

I COULDN’T believe the reaction of the officials questioned by MPs over the Rotherham abuse scandal. I cannot understand how these well-paid civil servants are in a position to hold on to their jobs. A few years ago, and in my days at work, the likes of them would have been sacked.

From: Keith Sturdy, Grimbald Road, Knaresborough.

I DON’T wish to gloat too much but I along with others in our letters a couple of years ago predicted that the introduction of Police Commissioners would be a complete disaster. Well the chickens have certainly come home to roost now. In South Yorkshire – need I say more. In North Yorkshire, hundreds of thousands of pounds wasted on the police HQ that never was.

The persons who designed the job of commissioner hadn’t even the sense to have a clause in the contract to get rid of them if something went wrong.

If the Home Secretary is thinking of bringing in legislation, I would suggest she gets rid of the lot and bring back something like the previous police authorities. At least they were more accountable.

A path to rudeness

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

IT is noticeable that manners have declined over the years. At one time people stepped aside on the pavement to allow others to pass. Not so now. Meeting a young family consisting of both parents, a toddler, and a child in a pushchair, they take up the whole path and even expect old people to step into the road to allow them right of way (Andrew Vine, The Yorkshire Post, September 9).

Just what kind of example are they showing their children, who naturally will grow up with the same attitude? People walk across the road 10 yards from a pedestrian crossing and expect traffic to wait for them. Drivers with huge four-wheel drive motors push their way through narrow gaps well knowing that smaller cars will gave way. The world is rapidly becoming a “me first” and “couldn’t care less” place to live in. How very sad.

Prices hit food producers

From: Mrs P Frankland, York.

THERE should be no need for food banks with farm prices the lowest in many years. Every commodity we produce is at rock bottom. Milk, eggs, beef, cereals, potatoes – all at well below production costs as there are so many processes to go through before food reaches the plate, and we in farming are keeping all these going.

Supermarket price wars do not help the producer, milk for instance in one supermarket at 65p per pint and 45p in another, within a few yards of each other, with the producer squeezed to the limit.

Sugar too is a scandal, with price cuts to beet growers. It is a very concerning time in our industry.

Food should be a priority for consumers.