EAST Riding of Yorkshire Council has broken its silence after it emerged the official in charge of child safeguarding at the authority worked at Rotherham council during the years of ignored warnings over child sexual exploitation.

Pam Allen, East Riding's head of children and young people's support and safeguarding, was the director of safeguarding at Rotherham council between 2004 and 2009. She among the former and current Rotherham council staff interviewed by Professor Alexis Jay for her independent report on widespread child sexual exploitation in the town.

East Riding has refused to comment on individual members of staff, but has issued a statement for people in the area.

Kevin Hall, director of children, families and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "I would like to reassure residents that the council together with its partners gives the highest priority to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people throughout the East Riding and is committed to delivering the best possible outcomes.

"The East Riding Safeguarding Children's Board, of which the council is a key member, will carefully consider the independent report which has been published following an inquiry by Professor Alexis Jay OBE into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.”