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Judge to rule over victims' post Ruling over victims' post delayed
(about 3 hours later)
A High Court judge is to further consider what action to take over the appointment of Northern Ireland's interim Victims' Commissioner. A High Court hearing to further consider what action to take over the appointment of NI's interim Victims' Commissioner has been postponed.
Mr Justice Girvan strongly criticised the secretary of state last week over the appointment of Bertha McDougall. Mr Justice Girvan had strongly criticised the secretary of state last week over the appointment of Bertha McDougall.
He said her appointment was motivated by an "improper political purpose". He said her appointment was motivated by an "improper political purpose". The case will now happen at a later date.
The judge invited Mrs McDougall to come to court on Friday. It is thought she will not give evidence in person but will be represented by lawyers. The judge had invited Mrs McDougall to come to court on Friday.
It was thought she would not give evidence in person but would be represented by lawyers.
West Belfast woman Brenda Downes had challenged the appointment of Mrs McDougall, the widow of a police reservist.West Belfast woman Brenda Downes had challenged the appointment of Mrs McDougall, the widow of a police reservist.
Last week, Mr Justice Girvan said there should be an inquiry into the appointment which he said was a confidence-building gesture to the DUP.Last week, Mr Justice Girvan said there should be an inquiry into the appointment which he said was a confidence-building gesture to the DUP.
The judge ruled that Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain failed to take account of the fact that there was no evidential basis for concluding that Mrs McDougall - whose husband was murdered by the INLA - would command cross-community support.The judge ruled that Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain failed to take account of the fact that there was no evidential basis for concluding that Mrs McDougall - whose husband was murdered by the INLA - would command cross-community support.
Peter Hain was criticised over the appointmentPeter Hain was criticised over the appointment
Her appointment, he said, was in breach of the accepted merit norms applicable to public appointments.Her appointment, he said, was in breach of the accepted merit norms applicable to public appointments.
Mr Justice Girvan upheld an application for a judicial review challenging Mrs McDougall's 2005 appointment to the £50,000 a year post - intended to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles.Mr Justice Girvan upheld an application for a judicial review challenging Mrs McDougall's 2005 appointment to the £50,000 a year post - intended to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles.
The civil service departments advising Mr Hain also came in for criticism from the judge.The civil service departments advising Mr Hain also came in for criticism from the judge.
Mrs McDougall, 59, a former school teacher, helped set up the victims' group, Forgotten Families.Mrs McDougall, 59, a former school teacher, helped set up the victims' group, Forgotten Families.