Statement from Watson Woodhouse on behalf of Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner Steve Turner
A statement from Steve Turner, Police and Crime Commissioner in relation to allegations of a historic sexual offence:
“On November 3rd the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IoPC)notified me, of a decision to commence a managed investigation into an allegation made against me of a “historic sexual offence” which dates between 30 – 40 years, to the 1980s. At present I have been given no further information regarding the allegation, the person, the place or the circumstance.
I feel uncomfortable that the details of this allegation has been placed in the public domain before an actual investigation has begun. The normal process in this circumstance would be to protect all parties who may or may not be involved and it is my belief that one or more members of the Police and Crime panel (PCC Panel) have deliberately chosen to leak this highly confidential and damaging allegation to the to the media purely for Political gain. I have therefore submitted a formal complaint to the monitoring officer to this effect. It is the role of the PPC to scrutinise activities of my office, not to betray confidentiality and leak information to the press to create instability and controversy.
Over the past few weeks, there has been an orchestrated campaign against me in the media, led by local Labour Party members and their supporters including two of Teesside’s former Labour MP’s sharing 58 tweets in 48 hours about these allegations. Labours Andy McDonald MP has further fuelled this today by writing to other local MP’s trying to gain support for his campaign to secure my resignation. My resignation is not the right thing to do in this instance.
As a public figure, I accept the mental challenge this brings, but my family’s mental wellbeing should not have to be tested in this way. I do fully believe in English justice, and am committed to supporting the investigation and the process in its entirety, and am confident the investigation will go on to prove beyond doubt, that I am innocent, as I have not committed any such offence.
I have been advised that the investigation can take many months and potentially years, and I should not anticipate it being concluded until well into 2024. I was publically elected as Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2021, committing myself to a statutory and strategic responsibility for policing and community safety on behalf of the 560,000 residents of Cleveland. It is my intent to continue in my role, and deliver what I was elected to do whilst the investigation takes place. This is currently an allegation, and I cannot allow one anonymous allegation to bring into jeopardy the democratic process and the wishes of the public who took part in my election. To do so would create an incredibly dangerous precedence potentially creating Political carnage across the entire country. I am committed to democracy and the Justice system.
Therefore, I have appointed Watson Woodhouse Solicitors to represent me, instructing them to give fully cooperate with the investigation. Whilst I have a public office, I would like to assure residents the financial cost of defending myself will be my own, not supported in time, money or resources by the public purse. I am committed wholeheartedly to ensure the due process is followed and that no pressure is brought upon any potential witness. I am therefore leaving engagement with the investigators in the hands of my Solicitors and I intend to get on with the job I was elected to do as per the priorities I have set out in my Police and Crime plan. Those were my priorities when I was elected in May. They remain my priorities today.”
Steve Turner
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner. Dated 10/11/2021
