The statement below has been produced jointly by Dr Alan Billings and Dawn Copley:

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Yesterday, I asked Deputy Chief Constable Dawn Copley to temporarily act as Chief Constable following the suspension of David Crompton.

“There has been media comment today about Mrs Copley. I would like to make clear that Mrs Copley fully declared the details of allegations into her conduct when she applied for the post of Deputy Chief Constable here at South Yorkshire Police.

“As this matter has not yet been concluded I am unable to comment publicly on the allegations and the outcome but as soon as I am able, I will do so. In the meantime Mrs Copley has my full support.

However, Mrs Copley has made clear to me that she does not want any further negative publicity or criticism to be levelled at the Force. In the interests of the Force and the workforce she has therefore offered to step back to her substantive role to allow me to seek support from the College of Policing in identifying another Chief Officer from outside the Force to act as Temporary Chief Constable until a recruitment process can take place.

“Mrs Copley will need to stay in post for a very short period of time, to deal with pressing matters, but, at her request, this will be for the shortest possible period.

“Events have moved very quickly over the last few days.  I am sorry that I cannot say anything more definite at this time but we have been working closely with national bodies about these issues and hope to make a further announcement in the coming days.”