Prime Minister Theresa May to be challenged by Martin McGuinness to release funding for inquests

NEW Prime Minister Theresa May and just-appointed Secretary of State James Brokenshire are to be directly challenged by Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness about the need to provide funding to allow dozens of inquests into conflict-related deaths to go ahead.

Earlier this year, the North's most senior judge, Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan, made proposals to set up a special unit to fast-track inquests into up to 100 deaths from the conflict.

He also called on the British Government to fund the plan.

Martin McGuinness said he intends to raise the issue directly with Theresa May (pictured), who succeeded David Cameron as Prime Minister seven days ago.

“This issue will be at the top of the agenda when I meet the new British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the new British Secretary of State,” Martin McGuinness said.

“Sinn Féin fully endorsed these proposals from the beginning and it is an absolute disgrace that families who have been waiting for justice for decades are still being kept waiting by the current British Government.

“We want to see the funds released and the inquests taking place so the families can begin to get some answers about what happened their loved ones,” he said.

The deputy First Minister said the families, some of whom have been waiting for more than 40 years, are entitled to access to the truth.

“To date, the DUP has refused to discuss the issue at the Executive but this should not stop the British Government releasing the funds. It is their decision but so far they have refused to do so.

“These families have a right to inquests and the British Government needs to facilitate that by releasing the necessary funds.

“There is now a new British Prime Minister and Secretary of State in place, both of whom I will be meeting over the coming days. I will be pressing them to release the funds immediately to enable the Lord Chief Justice to get on with his work.”

Previously, the EU’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks, has also called on the British Government to fund legacy inquests.