Criminal charges possible for Rotherham Council staff

Criminal charges could be brought against council officials who may have overlooked child abuse in Rotherham.

South Yorkshire Police chief constable David Crompton is in talks with the National Crime Agency over the terms of its investigation into how abuse was missed or ignored for decades.

Former police officer Trevor Pearce, now an NCA member, has been asked to consider misconduct in public office charges against staff at the council over a period of time which would cover former police commissioner Shaun Wright’s stint as head of children’s services.

In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Crompton he said the investigation “is likely to involve the ex-police and crime commissioner who was a councillor at the time and lead member for children’s services.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission will look at police failings while the NCA will look at criminal matters uncovered by both the Professor Jay report into abuse and the subsequent Home Affairs select committee hearings.