Bettison 'must go now' over Hillsborough says former police authority head

Sir Norman Bettison, West Yorkshire's chief constable, faces call to resign (PA)

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison should stand down now, according to the man who chaired his police authority until a fortnight ago.

Mark Burns-Williamson resigned as chairman of the West Yorkshire Police Authority on 7 October to stand in the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Today, he said Sir Norman should go in the light of new information about his role in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.

Mr Burns-Williamson was referring to shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle's claims, made in the Commons yesterday, that Sir Norman revealed he had been asked to help "concoct" South Yorkshire Police's version of events.

She used parliamentary privilege to make the allegations which were based on new evidence from a witness who discussed the disaster with Sir Norman.

Ms Eagle, a Merseyside MP, alleged Sir Norman was behind a "black propaganda" campaign.

Mr Burns-Williamson, who is now Labour's candidate to become West Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner, said: "In light of the new evidence given in Parliament yesterday I feel Sir Norman Bettison should stand down now in the best interests of West Yorkshire Police."

PA