MPs call for urgent investigation into Rotherham abuse cover-up claims

A senior Labour MP has savaged Rotherham Borough Council for giving a £40,000 pay-off to an official who quit following a damning report into the events.

Keith Vaz, who chairs the Home Affairs Committee, said he was "astounded" at the pay-off to former director of children's services, Joyce Thacker.

Mr Vaz said: "I am astounded that taxpayers' money has been used in what will be seen as a reward for the failures of Rotherham Council."

"The committee recommended Joyce Thacker, and others, resign for their inaction in light of the huge number of child sexual abuse cases. It was inappropriate of her to accept such a large sum when she left," he added.

Read: Rotherham child abuse files 'stolen'

A council at the centre of a child sexual exploitation scandal gave a £40,000 pay-off to an official who quit following a damning report into the events.

Rotherham Borough Council disclosed the payment to former strategic director of children's services Joyce Thacker in response to a Freedom of Information request.

The council said it had reached a mutual agreement on the termination of her contract and the sum was "less than the contractual notice requirement".

The scale of the abuse in Rotherham was revealed in August this year when Professor Alexis Jay published a report which outlined how at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited between 1997 and 2003 and questioned why highly placed public figures had not tackled the problem.