This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22083032
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Paris Brown: Kent youth PCC resigns after Twitter row | Paris Brown: Kent youth PCC resigns after Twitter row |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK's first youth police and crime commissioner, Paris Brown, has resigned from her post following criticism of messages she posted on Twitter. | The UK's first youth police and crime commissioner, Paris Brown, has resigned from her post following criticism of messages she posted on Twitter. |
| The 17-year-old, who was appointed last week, said she was "quitting in the interests of the young people of Kent". | The 17-year-old, who was appointed last week, said she was "quitting in the interests of the young people of Kent". |
| Police are investigating her over tweets she posted between the ages of 14 and 16 which could be considered racist and anti-gay. | Police are investigating her over tweets she posted between the ages of 14 and 16 which could be considered racist and anti-gay. |
| Kent PCC Ann Barnes said it was "a very sad day". | Kent PCC Ann Barnes said it was "a very sad day". |
| Miss Brown was appointed to the £15,000-a-year post six days ago by Ms Barnes, who had said she would stand by her. | Miss Brown was appointed to the £15,000-a-year post six days ago by Ms Barnes, who had said she would stand by her. |
| 'Not racist' | 'Not racist' |
| In a statement, the teenager, from Sheerness, said: "I accept that I have made comments on social networking sites which have offended many people. I am really sorry for any offence caused. | |
| "I strongly reiterate that I am not racist or homophobic." | "I strongly reiterate that I am not racist or homophobic." |
| She added: "I have fallen into the trap of behaving with bravado on social networking sites. I hope this may stand as a learning experience for many other young people." | |
| Ms Barnes said Miss Brown's tweets were not vetted before she was appointed but she was an "enthusiastic young woman with exceptional skills" who had performed well in a "very tough" interview process. | Ms Barnes said Miss Brown's tweets were not vetted before she was appointed but she was an "enthusiastic young woman with exceptional skills" who had performed well in a "very tough" interview process. |
| She said the events of the past few days had strengthened her desire to create the youth PCC post and she had no plans to resign. | She said the events of the past few days had strengthened her desire to create the youth PCC post and she had no plans to resign. |
| Resignation calls | |
| The teenager was appointed last Wednesday to build a bridge between young people and policing in what was described as a "real hands-on role". | |
| But The Mail on Sunday reported at the weekend Miss Brown had boasted about her sex life, drug-taking and drinking on her Twitter account @vilulabelle and had also posted violent, racist and anti-gay comments. The Twitter page has since been removed. | |
| On Monday, two of Kent's Conservative MPs - Laura Sandys and Damian Collins - said the teenager should step down. | |
| Labour's home affairs select committee chairman Keith Vaz also said he believed her views were "incompatible with holding office". | |
| It later emerged Miss Brown's tweets were being investigated by Kent Police for possible criminal offences after the force received complaints. |