DUP leader blocks funding for new inquest unit

DUP LEADER Arlene Foster has blocked the North’s Executive government from discussing a funding request for a ground-breaking Legacy Inquest Unit to investigate some of the North’s most controversial killings.

It has emerged that the proposal put forward by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan in February to establish the special unit to fast-track some 56 cases involving up to 100 deaths will not now go ahead, delaying the search for justice by the families.

Judge Morgan’s proposal to set up the unit was not discussed by the Executive at its meeting in Derry last month because the DUP leader would not agree to its inclusion on the order of business.

One victims’ campaigner, speaking to An Phoblacht, described Foster’s actions as “a slap in the face” to the highest law officer in the state and victims’ families.

“It is a direct snub to Morgan and undermines his credibility,” they said.

According to Stormont rules, both the First and deputy First Ministers must approve an item for it to be included in the Executive’s agenda. The upshot of it is that the funding needed for the Morgan proposal cannot now be put to British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.

Foster claimed she needed more time to discuss the proposal with the Lord Chief Justice. Her holding up of the proposal smacks more of DUP politics to many people.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds adressed the party’s attitude in financial terms when he said “it would cost too much” before adding;

“Our priority in dealing with the past has been to ensure access to justice for everyone, no rewriting of the past and proper support for innocent victims.”

Reacting to the developments, Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Gerry Kelly said:
“Sinn Féin held a meeting with the Lord Chief Justice at which he outlined his proposals for funding legacy inquests.

“We fully endorse his proposals.”

Kelly called on the British Government to accept its responsibility to fund legacy inquests.

The North’s Victims’ Commissioner, Judith Thompson, said in a statement:

“Legacy issues will not go away and for that reason I welcomed the recent proposals from the Lord Chief Justice on methods of progressing legacy inquests.

“This will provide a useful template for all future historical investigations, including the proposed establishment of a Historical Investigations Unit which would investigate all outstanding legacy cases.”