MAGINNESS DISAPOINTED AT REPORT INTO VICTIMS APPOINTMENT
Wednesday 25th July 2007

Commenting on a report released today which found no intention to mislead or obstruct the courts after the appointment of interim Victims Commissioner Bertha McDougal, SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA stated:

“This is a disappointing and somewhat surprising decision given the very critical comments of Mr Justice Girvan during the judicial review of this appointment. It seems completely at odds with his findings. He posed several far reaching questions about how the evidence that was presented to the courts was provided, implicit in that was some tough questions about the Secretary of States’ office methods in dealing with the matter.

This is a very unsatisfactory situation and the Secretary of States’ office needs to realise that they have a duty of candour to which they have to abide when dealing with such public matters. I hope that they follow this duty to the letter in the future.”

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