Bettison: statement from Mark Burns-Williamson

The West Yorkshire Police Authority referred Sir Norman’s conduct to the IPCC on 9 October 2012, concerning his alleged attempt to influence the Authority’s decision making in the days following the publication of the Hillsborough Report. I have provided evidence, along with the Chief Executive of the former Police Authority to this investigation and the findings of the IPCC are set out clearly in the report published today.

This is a difficult time for the victims and families of the Hillsborough disaster,who rightly want to see justice done and those responsible for the tragicevents held to account. However, there is a much wider ongoing IPCC investigation into other matters arising from the Hillsborough Report and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on this matter at this stage to avoid prejudicing the final report and outcome.

As your Police and Crime Commissioner I will do everything I can to ensurethat the people of West Yorkshire continue to have the trust and confidencein their police force that they rightly expect and deserve and, as I haveannounced, I will be launching an independent review into police complaintsand conduct.