Category: Northern Ireland

The statement made by Owen Paterson, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 24 August 2010.

The Claudy bombing was a terrible atrocity carried out by terrorists during the bloodiest year of the Troubles.

I absolutely condemn the actions of the terrorists who were responsible.

It was a despicable and evil act carried out by despicable and evil people.

My anger at the actions of those responsible for the attack is matched in strength by my sorrow that the survivors of the atrocity and the relatives of the dead did not see those responsible brought to justice for their crimes.

I recognise, of course, that all those involved in combating terrorism at the time were making decisions in exceptionally difficult circumstances and under extreme pressure.

The Claudy bombings took place during a month which also witnessed the end of a temporary IRA ceasefire, the Bloody Friday bombings, Operation Motorman and widespread civil disorder and violence.

Nearly 100 people died in July 1972 alone, making it the most violent month in the most violent year of the Troubles.

In relation to the interaction between the RUC, the then Secretary of State and the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland about Father Chesney, the Ombudsman’s report states that “the actions of the senior RUC Officers, in seeking and accepting the government’s assistance in dealing with the problem that Father Chesney’s alleged wrongdoing presented, was by definition a collusive act.”

With respect to the government, the Ombudsman observes that the government was “asked by police to assist in resolving a matter of public interest. They had a legitimate interest in doing so. In the course of this enquiry the Police Ombudsman’s investigation found no evidence of any criminal intent on the part of any government minister or official.”

In his conclusions, the Ombudsman finds that the RUC decision not to investigate Chesney was “wrong” and “contrary to a fundamental duty of police to investigate those suspected of criminality.”

The PSNI have expressed their regret that opportunities to arrest and interview all of the suspects were not taken in 1972.

For my part, on behalf of the government, I am profoundly sorry that Father Chesney was not properly investigated for his suspected involvement in this hideous crime, and that the victims and their families have been denied justice.

In the course of their investigations both the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman have conducted enquiries with the Department. I can confirm that the Department’s files have been extensively searched and that all relevant documents were provided to the Ombudsman.

The only document referring to discussions about Father Chesney is **the letter of 6th December 1972** quoted in the Ombudsman’s report.

In the interests of transparency I am today publishing the document and will send a copy to the Public Record Office in Northern Ireland, the National Archives and the Linenhall Library.

The statement made by Owen Paterson, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the House of Commons on 28 February 2011.

In my written statement of the 31 January 2011, I informed the House that following an announcement by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland that they planned to prosecute three individuals in connection with the death of Robert Hamill, I would not publish the report of the Robert Hamill Inquiry until these legal proceedings had concluded. Publishing the report while proceedings are ongoing would jeopardise the individuals’ right to a fair trial.

I also set out the checking process which is required to meet the obligations on me in relation to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and in relation to national security. I can confirm that this checking process has now been completed and I have received advice from the checking team which confirms that there is nothing in the report which, if published, could breach Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights by putting the lives or safety of individuals at risk, or put national security at risk. I am therefore satisfied that once legal proceedings have concluded, the report can be published in full. I have advised Sir Edwin Jowitt, the chairman of the inquiry, of this.

I have also asked Sir Edwin to retain formal custody of the report in a secure location until the legal proceedings have concluded and it can be submitted to me and be published. The report has not been shown to me or to any other member of the government, or to any officials except the two members of the team which carried out the checking process. I have not been briefed on the contents of the report, nor have any officials other than those in the checking team.

Again, I reassure the House that once the legal proceedings have concluded, I intend to publish the report in full and as soon as practicable. Once a timetable for publication becomes clear, I will update the House accordingly.

The comments made by Owen Paterson, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 10 February 2011.

This is a terrible tragedy.

I offer my profound condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of those killed and injured.

I have spoken to our Ambassador in Dublin who is on his way to Cork and who will be working closely with the Irish authorities.

The statement made by Owen Paterson, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 11 January 2011.

In my written statement of 11 November, I set out a period of two months during which I would receive representations as to whether it is in the public interest that I should establish a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane.

As part of this process, my officials have had a constructive meeting with representatives of the Finucane family and a further meeting will be arranged. In light of the fact that useful discussions are underway between the family and the government, I have decided, with the agreement of the family, to extend the period during which I will receive representations by two months.

When this further period has concluded it remains my intention to consider the family’s views carefully and in detail, along with any other relevant representations I receive, before taking a decision as to whether or not it is in the public interest to hold a public inquiry into the death of Patrick Finucane.

The statement made by Owen Paterson, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in the House of Commons on 16 December 2010.

I have laid before Parliament the Third Report of Robert Whalley CB, Independent Reviewer of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (the 2007 Act).

This Third Report provides an assessment of the operation of sections 21 to 32 of the 2007 act and the procedures adopted by the Brigade Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade for receiving, investigating and responding to complaints. The report covers the period 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010.

The report highlights the security situation in the past year and the activities of residual terrorist groups who have been dangerous and disruptive and remain heavily involved in organised crime. The Reviewer states that the police have had to deal with more threats and attacks this year, and this has led to a substantial increase (22%) in the use of stop and question and stop and search across the range of police powers. He also makes note of the heavy demand for the services of Ammunition Technical Officers (ATOs).

The Reviewer acknowledges that the Police have responded to his recommendation to further develop recording systems and notes some improvement from his limited sampling of the records; however, there is still some way to go in pursuit of best practice. He welcomes the development of electronic recording which the police are pursuing and the Thematic Review which is being conducted by the Human Rights advisor to the Policing Board into the comparative use of police powers and development of best practice. He comments that it will significantly compliment and enhance work in this area.

Mr Whalley highlights the marked decrease in military complaints and notes that the departure of the Pumas of 230 Squadron RAF has significantly altered the pattern of military flying in Northern Ireland. He states that the complaints system is efficient and responsive and must continue to function as effectively as it does now. He also emphasises the importance of engaging complainants, and suggests that it should be standard practice to offer a visit to Aldergrove (if not a flight in a helicopter) when a repeat complaint is made. He recommends The Flying Station at Aldergrove should take it as a high priority task to keep the website on planned flying times up to date.

The Chief Constable and the Brigade Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade have both welcomed the Independent Reviewer’s report and the recommendations made. I too would like to thank Robert Whalley for his work and for the recommendations contained in his third report. I will consider them carefully.