ANGER AT ON HOLD REVIEW OF O'LOAN ROLE
Anger at 'on hold' review of O'Loan role
PLANS to carry out a review of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office have been put on hold.
More than a year after the Policing Board recommended a full investigation into Nuala O'Loan's dealings with the police, the Government has resisted new demands for the probe to begin.
It is understood that Security Minister Jane Kennedy feels it would be "premature at this stage" to order an examination.
The decision angered unionists demanding an independent review of the protocols between Mrs O'Loan and the PSNI.
Recommendations were first tabled last February after the Ombudsman published her scathing report into the RUC's investigation of the 1998 Omagh bomb.
These were delayed until after a legal bid to overthrow Mrs O'Loan's findings was mounted by senior police and rank-and-file officers.
With the judicial review now settled, calls for a review mechanism to be set up were intensified.
Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea wrote to Secretary of State Paul Murphy earlier this month asking him to set out how this would operate.
But it is understood that Mr Murphy passed the matter to Ms Kennedy, who decided to hold off.
The Government needs to have further talks with the Ombudsman, board representatives and members of the Police Association who mounted the court action, she indicated.
DUP board member Ian Paisley Jnr attacked the decision.
"The Ombudsman has proved herself not only controversial but also unacceptable to the majority of the community," he said.
"Instead of delaying further, it is now critically important the Government honours its commitment to the Policing Board and puts in place a mechanism that allows her office to be reviewed."
PLANS to carry out a review of the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office have been put on hold.
More than a year after the Policing Board recommended a full investigation into Nuala O'Loan's dealings with the police, the Government has resisted new demands for the probe to begin.
It is understood that Security Minister Jane Kennedy feels it would be "premature at this stage" to order an examination.
The decision angered unionists demanding an independent review of the protocols between Mrs O'Loan and the PSNI.
Recommendations were first tabled last February after the Ombudsman published her scathing report into the RUC's investigation of the 1998 Omagh bomb.
These were delayed until after a legal bid to overthrow Mrs O'Loan's findings was mounted by senior police and rank-and-file officers.
With the judicial review now settled, calls for a review mechanism to be set up were intensified.
Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea wrote to Secretary of State Paul Murphy earlier this month asking him to set out how this would operate.
But it is understood that Mr Murphy passed the matter to Ms Kennedy, who decided to hold off.
The Government needs to have further talks with the Ombudsman, board representatives and members of the Police Association who mounted the court action, she indicated.
DUP board member Ian Paisley Jnr attacked the decision.
"The Ombudsman has proved herself not only controversial but also unacceptable to the majority of the community," he said.
"Instead of delaying further, it is now critically important the Government honours its commitment to the Policing Board and puts in place a mechanism that allows her office to be reviewed."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/514
Published Date: 01-Mar-03
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