LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the resignation of Philip Allott as North Yorkshire police and crime commissioner.

Mr Allott stepped down on Thursday - hours after losing a no confidence vote - over comments he made about Sarah Everard’s murder.

Sir Keir, who was spotted at York Station on Thursday after a visit to Manor Farm in Kelfield, between York and Selby, welcomed the news.

He said: "He's quite right to go and he should have gone two weeks ago.

"What I find astonishing is that the prime minister and home secretary have been silent on this.

"For a Government that claims to be serious about violence against women and girls, to have stayed silent throughout this period, I think is very, very difficult for them to justify.

"It was obvious when he made those comments that he should go. He should have gone sooner, but I'm glad he's gone now."