Sarah responds to Martin Kimber's resignation as Chief Executive of RMBC

Sarah Champion MP commented: I welcome Martin's decision to step down today. Children in my constituency have been let down appallingly by those charged with protecting them. I have called for Martin to be held accountable for his managerial failings. He was Chief Executive of the Council and the buck stops with him. Whilst Labour Councillors have already acknowledged and accepted their failings in governance, many current and former staff still have serious questions to answer.

It was unbelievable that Martin announced no disciplinary or criminal action would be taken in the wake of Alexis Jay's report. 1400 children and 1400 families in Rotherham were let down by our council, and the victims deserve better than just two weeks of media scrutiny. Those in child protection who failed to care for our children must be held to account. Rotherham's families need to have faith in council staff. If we allow staff to remain and ignore their historic failings; how can we have confidence our children will be protected in future? The big question still remains: is anyone going to be disciplined over this?