DERBY'S Labour MP Chris Williamson says his party is wrong to call on its own police chief to quit for failing to protect children from sex gangs in Rotherham.
The Labour party said Shaun Wright – the South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner – should step down after 1,400 children were sexually exploited by Asian men under his watch.
Mr Wright was the Labour cabinet member in charge of children's services for a five-year period when his council and the police is accused of failing to adequately deal with the 16-year abuse scandal.
A damning report said staff chose not to act as they feared being labelled racist.
Mr Wright apologised to victims of abuse but has refused to quit.
Asked whether Labour is backing its £85,000-a-year commissioner, a spokesman said: "The report into child abuse in Rotherham was devastating in its findings.
"Vulnerable children were repeatedly abused and then let down.
"In the light of this report, it is appropriate that South Yorkshire police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright should step down."
Derby North MP Chris Williamson said he disagreed with his party's stance as he did not think Mr Wright was to blame for the scandal.
Mr Williamson said: "I'm not sure his stepping down would achieve anything.
"Elected members are lay people and are reliant on the advice provided to them.
"What's important now is to look at the procedures and to implement any changes that need to be made."
Margaret Beckett, the Labour MP for Derby South, said she had recently returned from holiday and did not know enough about the case to be in a position to comment.
However she did say Mr Wright has "got to think about his position and discuss it with others".
Children as young as 11 were sexually exploited by gangs of men – almost all of them of Pakistani origin – but council officials and police have been accused of suppressing evidence to avoid being accused of racism.
Mr Williamson said he was appalled at that excuse.
He said: "If that is the case, it's completely wrong and totally unacceptable.
"That can never be grounds for not upholding the obligations of the council and not doing your job.
"In all situations, staff must put the safety and well-being of children first."
Despite the criticism, no council employees will face disciplinary action and child protection staff who have left are working elsewhere in the country.
Christine Cassell, chair of Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Boards, said: "Derby has substantial recent experience in tackling the exploitation and abuse of a number of girls and young women in the city.
"Derby's success in detecting this abuse and successfully prosecuting the perpetrators has helped to highlight the issue nationally.
"Our experience and learning locally has helped inform national research and the development of a national plan."
