The High Court has today ruled that the decision to suspend former Chief Constable David Crompton, and then ask for him to resign, was unlawful.

The decision follows a lengthy process which began on 27 April 2016 with the Police and Crime Commissioner suspending Mr Crompton the day after the verdicts were delivered in the Hillsborough Inquests. It led to his resignation on 29 September.

A two-day hearing took place in the Divisional Court on 28 and 29 March this year.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am disappointed by the judgement that has been handed down by the High Court today.

“I will be seeking permission to appeal the outcome, from the Court of Appeal, as this decision has potentially serious implications for the governance arrangements for the police service generally and not just in South Yorkshire. I will be consulting about that with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners before deciding how to proceed, as I recognise the process has already been expensive and it would not necessarily be in the interest of the South Yorkshire tax payers to foot the bill, despite the national importance of the decision in this case.”