The police boss who said women needed to be more “streetwise” following the murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of a police officer has resigned.

Philip Allott has resigned as North Yorkshire police, fire and crime commissioner after coming under fire for comments he made on the Sarah Everard murder, adding he wanted to “restore confidence in the office”.

In his resignation letter, Mr Allott said he was “doing the honourable thing” following a meeting of the North Yorkshire Fire and Crime Panel on Thursday which gave him a vote of no confidence in continuing in his role.

South Wales Argus: Police commissioner resigns over Sarah Everard comments. (PA)Police commissioner resigns over Sarah Everard comments. (PA)

Philip Allott's resignation in full

He said: “Following this morning’s meeting of the Police and Crime Panel it seems clear to me that the task will be exceptionally difficult, if it is possible at all. It would take a long time and a lot of resources of my office and the many groups who do excellent work supporting victims.

“This is time victims do not have. There are women and girls in York and North Yorkshire today suffering at the hands of men. Victims and the groups who support them need to be heard. They cannot be heard if the airwaves are filled with discussion about my future.

“That is why I am doing the honourable thing and resigning as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – to restore confidence in the office which I believe will be almost impossible for me to do, and to enable victims’ voices to be heard clearly without the distraction of the continued furore which surrounds me.

“I entered public life because I wanted to make a difference. I still do. So, I am committing myself to doing all I can as a private individual to support victims groups. The pledge I made as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner was genuine. It is one I will keep.”