This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6156352.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ruling over victims' post delayed | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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 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". The case will now happen at a later date. | |
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 appointment | Peter 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. |