Should Philip Allott resign? Here's what York readers think

Some readers described his comments as "disgraceful" and "part of the problem" in male violence against women.

This newspaper's poll showed 88 per cent of readers want the police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) to step down - despite his apology.

Out of 512 voters, just 12 per cent did not support his resignation.

LATEST UPDATE - 'Clearly, I have much to learn': North Yorkshire police boss 'reiterates' apology

The controversy came after Mr Allott told BBC Radio York on Friday that women need to be "streetwise" in the wake of Ms Everard's death.

Referring to the coronavirus laws her murderer Wayne Couzens used to falsely arrest Sarah Everard, Conservative Philip Allott said: “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.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former PFCC candidate Alison Hume are among those calling for Mr Allott to "resign with immediate effect".

Mr Allott has since apologised for his comments - describing his thoughts as "insensitive".

Posting on Twitter, the PFCC 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."

But what do voters think - and was the police boss' apology enough? 

When reading the response from women in York, there was one clear message: 'I would have trusted Wayne Couzens'.

Reader Sue Smith said: "He should resign. I would have allowed Wayne [Couzens] to arrest me. This wasn't Sarah's fault, and his comments are despicable, how can he blame her and victim shame her."

Read York MP's view: 'Women are feeling very unsafe right now - and this just made things worse'

Esther Rees said: "In a position of public office, if you show your true self, how unaware you are, not even realise how you have in fact blamed the victims and future victims for these crimes - you can’t just ‘redact my comments’ in response to being pulled up for them, and then expect the public, which he serves, to just accept that!!!

"Disgusting behaviour- I’m sure those arrested for hate speech don’t get away with ‘oh dear, I’ve caused offence, my job may be threatened now, so I’ll just redact everything I said, everyone just forget what I said earlier’."

Samantha Repetto suggested: "Either resign, or say what he said to said to the victim's family who live in the area he’s commissioner for - then remind them how committed he is to helping victims of crime and that he is in fact the face of policing."

Sarah grew up in York and was a student at Fulford School.

Zoe Picton believes: "Thinking such thoughts in the first place and then saying them show his lack of understanding and suitability to hold the post."

Lucy Hart said: "Disgraceful comment, he should be sacked before he has chance to resign! He's only apologised because he's been pulled up on it, it's too late!!! SHE WAS JUST WALKING HOME."

Rob Thornham said the views held in Mr Allot's interview "are a part of the problem".

"An apology in hindsight is not good enough," Rob said.

"He absolutely 100 per cent categorically needs to go...attitudes and opinions like this are a part of the problem...get rid!"

But, as always in life, there are complexities in any argument.  

While reader Tonya Simone disagreed with the commissioner's viewpoint, she believes it is up to the electorate to make their voice heard at the next election.

Tonya said: "Apology is enough for me… if he is elected I’ll vote him out in the next round."

Another reader, Barbara Stepowanyj, believes Mr Allott was right to make the comments on BBC Radio York. 

"No," she said. "Women do need to be streetwise. You are responsible for yourself."

Anne Hirst called on Mr Allot to leave his position on the issue of trust.

She said: "It's 100 per cent up to the Police to be trustworthy. He can't possibly stay in his position if he thinks it's up to women (or anyone) to know or learn when to trust them."

Other readers said the commissioner should be sacked instead of being asked to resign. 

Laura Katherine said: "It isn’t enough, he shouldn’t ‘have to resign’, he should have been sacked!"

Another reader Lin Lee said: "He should resign, and furthermore we should not be needing to ASK for this!"

If you would like to share your views, you can send letters of up to 200 words to the email address, letters@thepress.co.uk

Or you can submit a letter via the Press website here.