The leader of Plymouth Council has apologised for comments he made in the wake of Bobbi-Anne McLeod’s disappearance.

Nick Kelly, a Conservative politician, told ITV News: “Everybody has a responsibility not to try to put themselves in a compromising position.”

He added: “Equally, that isn’t the solution – the solution shouldn’t be that women need to be concerned about where they are walking or what they are wearing – or indeed males or young people.”

Cody Ackland, 24, has been charged with the murder of Bobbi-Anne after a body, believed to be that of the 18-year-old, was found close to the beach at Bovisand, near Plymouth.

The 18-year-old was last seen at around 6pm on Saturday 20 November. A woman’s body, which has not been formally identified, was found on Tuesday afternoon.

Following his prior comments, Cllr Kelly wrote an open letter.

In it he said that he wanted to “start by wholeheartedly apologising, particularly to the family and friends of Bobbi-Anne McCleod, if reported statements made by me earlier this week have caused distress and upset”.

Bobbi-Anne McLeod murder: Cody Ackland appears in court over murder of Plymouth teenager

Bobbi-Anne McLeod: No known link between suspect and murdered teen, police say

He added: “I want to emphasise that in no way shape or form was I ever suggesting that Bobbi-Anne McCleod did anything wrong.

“I am aware that a snippet from one interview I carried out, relating to general community safety issues in the city, and comments made in an informal conversation, have been used to imply the opposite.

“It could not be further from the truth.”

In the initial interview, Cllr Kelly added: “People want better solutions and they want a society that’s more respectful and [where] the streets are perceived and feel a lot safer.

“And that’s where the police play their part, and the council will play our part.”

Related posts:

Woman to referee English Football League game for first time ever Everyone’s Invited: What is the story behind UK schools’ sex abuse scandal? Around half of Britons have COVID antibodies, latest data suggests UK reports one COVID death as 50 million vaccine jabs now delivered Two casualties after explosion triggers fire at house Daughter of murdered PCSO urges people to light a candle in her memory Super Tuesday for Team GB as sailing golds and new most decorated Olympian lead medals charge Met fights decision to reinstate police officer convicted over child abuse video Boy, 5, dies a week after suffering head injury at department store Man arrested after ‘suspicious’ death of woman who fell from Arthur’s Seat Everything you need to know about vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds against COVID-19 Will offices still let you isolate if you get COVID and can people continue to work from home