Right for Bettison to step down says May

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Theresa May revealed the Government is now looking into the issue of the integrity of the police force after the independent panel laid bare a cover-up at South Yorkshire Police in the wake of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Sir Norman, Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, was involved in South Yorkshire’s response to the disaster, and has come under mounting pressure.

He announced last week he will step down in March after losing the confidence of his police authority.

“I think it is right that he will be taking early retirement from the force,” Ms May said.

Asked whether she was confident the blame-shifting culture within the police exposed by the report no longer exists, the Home Secretary said: “I think it is important we look at exactly the question you’ve raised. We’ve already done some work on integrity in policing... And this is an issue we will be looking at.

“I can’t give you an exact answer now, but there will be a debate in Parliament... on the Hillsborough panel’s report, and I would hope to be able to say a little more then.”

Ms May yesterday unveiled new plans that will see the victims of crime given the opportunity to choose an offender’s punish-ment.

New legislation will be needed, she said, with victims of anti-social behaviour given the power to demand compensation or order yobs to carry out repairs and clean up parks.