CSE whistleblower Jayne Senior “angry” at Shaun Wright inquiry outcome

A WHISTLEBLOWER behind the investigation into whether ex-police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright lied to MPs says she is “angry” he has been cleared.  

And Jayne Senior added: "He might not have met the threshold for a criminal investigation, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct announced today that its year-long investigation into whether Mr Wright lied to MPs has found he did not commit a criminal offence.

It was alleged by Mrs Senior and a CSE survivor that Mr Wright had committed perjury when giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC) on September 9, 2014, when he was still PCC. 

Mr Wright gave evidence under oath regarding his knowledge of allegations of widespread child sexual abuse in Rotherham.

It was alleged by the complainants that he wrongly denied having knowledge of the scale of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham during his time as cabinet member for children’s services at Rotherham Borough Council, between 2005 and 2010. 

Sarah Green, the IOPC’s regional director who oversaw this investigation, said: “I have given this matter very careful consideration and, on the basis of the evidence we have gathered, I have determined that the report does not indicate that a criminal offence may have been committed. Therefore, we will not refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether any criminal charges should be brought.”

Reacting to the news, Mrs Senior said she was not surprised by the outcome because Mr Wright had previously used the term “I can’t recollect” when asked if he had met with CSE victims and heard about their abuse.

Mrs Senior, who helped expose the abuse scandal, claimed she had witnessed Mr Wright speaking with survivors of CSE at a barbecue for youth project Risky Business.

“I am actually quite angry”, said Mrs Senior. “I’m not shocked that it’s happened, just quite angry.

“I think it’s quite disrespectful that he is denying, or ‘can’t recollect’, meeting any victims. I just think that’s sad for them as they have all got their own harrowing stories to tell and they don’t forget when they lay their heart bare to you.

“One of the girls that came forward [to the IOPC] spoke about meeting him at Risky Business and telling him about what had happened. 

“Other girls were there, that’s information she’s shared. I remember her story. It’s etched on my brain."

She added: “He might not have met the threshold for a criminal investigation, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

The IOPC said in its report that they received a complaint from a survivor saying they believed Mr Wright lied when giving evidence.

Lead investigator Lauren White said: “Complainant B is a survivor of CSE, who stated they spoke to Mr Wright about their experiences of abuse in Rotherham. Mr Wright stated at the HASC that he did not recall such an event. Complainant B declined to give a statement in relation to this investigation.”

Further potential witnesses to the alleged meeting were identified from Mrs Senior’s statement but the IOPC said their evidence was not sought "as the efforts required were not proportionate to the evidential value they could add to the investigation”.

Ms White said: “In his prepared statement, Mr Wright stated he did not recall attending a barbecue held or hosted by Risky Business. 

“He also stated he did not, and still does not, recall any survivors of CSE telling him their experiences of CSE during his time at cabinet member. 

“He also stated such an event would have affected him emotionally, so he would have recalled it.”

The full report can be viewed here.