Investigation begins into PCC perjury claims

An investigation has begun into whether South Yorkshire’s former police and crime commissioner committed perjury. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is examining claims Shaun Wright lied under oath when giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) in 2014. It is alleged Mr Wright denied knowing anything about reported widespread child sexual abuse in Rotherham during his time on the local borough council between 2005 and 2010. The IPCC will focus on whether Mr Wright’s evidence was deliberately misleading. IPCC deputy chair Sarah Green said: “The IPCC can only investigate a police and crime commissioner if the allegations made are serious enough to be potentially deemed criminal. “We are investigating, because at the time the evidence was given, Mr Wright was still South Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner. “Our investigation will involve analysing the evidence given at HASC and we will take statements and conduct interviews with any relevant witnesses that we identify as the investigation progresses.” The IPCC initially refused to investigate Mr Wright’s comments as it believed they were not covered in its remit. However, in April it admitted that this decision had been made based on “a misunderstanding of the extent of parliamentary immunity”.