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Top NI prosecutor Barra McGrory confirms resignation | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Northern Ireland's director of public prosecutions has confirmed that he is stepping down from the post. | |
Barra McGrory QC told Public Prosecution Service staff he would resign later this year. | |
He will stay in post until a successor is appointed by the Attorney General, a move that is expected in the autumn. | |
Mr McGrory became the first Catholic to hold the post when he was appointed in November 2011. | |
In recent months he has been in the eye of a political storm for prosecuting former soldiers for killings during Northern Ireland's Troubles. | In recent months he has been in the eye of a political storm for prosecuting former soldiers for killings during Northern Ireland's Troubles. |
His appointment five-and-a-half years ago ruffled the feathers of some unionist politicians. | His appointment five-and-a-half years ago ruffled the feathers of some unionist politicians. |
As one of Northern Ireland's best known criminal lawyers he had represented Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and other senior republicans. | As one of Northern Ireland's best known criminal lawyers he had represented Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and other senior republicans. |
Mr McGrory pointed out that he had also represented loyalist paramilitaries, unionist politicians and former police officers. | Mr McGrory pointed out that he had also represented loyalist paramilitaries, unionist politicians and former police officers. |
Mystified | Mystified |
He has been strongly criticised by a number of Conservative Party MPs and the Democratic Unionist Party in recent months for decisions to prosecute former soldiers. | He has been strongly criticised by a number of Conservative Party MPs and the Democratic Unionist Party in recent months for decisions to prosecute former soldiers. |
They claimed that cases involving soldiers were being unfairly prioritised. | They claimed that cases involving soldiers were being unfairly prioritised. |
There were even calls for him to be sacked. | There were even calls for him to be sacked. |
Earlier this year, he told the BBC that those who accused him of treating former soldiers unfairly had insulted him and his office. | Earlier this year, he told the BBC that those who accused him of treating former soldiers unfairly had insulted him and his office. |
Mr McGrory said he was mystified by the claims that he did not act impartially when he brought charges against a small number of ex-soldiers. | Mr McGrory said he was mystified by the claims that he did not act impartially when he brought charges against a small number of ex-soldiers. |
It is understood he plans to return to his private legal practice. | It is understood he plans to return to his private legal practice. |
Sources have said that his decision is not connected to the criticism he has faced in recent months. | Sources have said that his decision is not connected to the criticism he has faced in recent months. |