UK police chief Philip Allott quits over Sarah Everard

Philip Allott, the head of North Yorkshire’s police in the UK has resigned after coming under fire for his comments on women’s safety in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder.

Allott, who oversaw police and fire services in North Yorkshire, was widely condemned for his comments in a BBC Radio York interview.

He suggested Ms Everard ‘never should have submitted’ to the arrest by killer Wayne Couzens.

His comment was branded ‘horrifically offensive’ by critics, reports Mail Online.

During the interview, host Georgey Spanswick asked: ‘How on earth do my stepdaughters, me, my friends, how do we protect ourselves now?’

Mr Allot said: ‘A police officer can’t just arrest you. There has to be a reason.

‘So, Covid for example I would classify as a summary offence, it’s not an indictable i.e. sent to prison or potentially go to a Crown Court.

‘So women, first of all, need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can’t be arrested.

‘She should never have been arrested and submitted to that.

‘Perhaps women need to consider in terms of the legal process, to just learn a bit about that legal process.’

His comments were challenged by host Spanswick, who said: ‘Why is it down to me Philip? Why is it down to women because actually, this is down to one man in the police force and there are serious doubts about this man’s conduct?’

Allott later issued an apology for his remarks, saying he misspoke on the topic of women’s safety.

On Twitter, he said: ‘I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for my comments on BBC Radio York earlier today, which I realise have been insensitive and wish to retract them in full.’

Tory chairman Oliver Dowden said he and Boris Johnson had been ‘outraged’ by the comments from Mr Allott.

Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, used his position to falsely arrest the 33-year-old for breaking lockdown rules in order to kidnap her before raping and murdering her.

He was given a whole life sentence last month, meaning he will almost certainly die behind bars.

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime panel met on Thursday with discussion of Mr Allott’s comments, for which he subsequently apologised, forming part of the agenda.

A new election will soon be conducted to pick his successor.