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Threatened officer 'in limbo' Threatened officer 'in limbo'
(31 minutes later)
A police officer and his wife claim to have been "left in limbo" after they were forced from their home by a dissident threat.A police officer and his wife claim to have been "left in limbo" after they were forced from their home by a dissident threat.
The couple believed that a government scheme would purchase the house from them.The couple believed that a government scheme would purchase the house from them.
The so-called SPED scheme buys property from people considered to be under threat.The so-called SPED scheme buys property from people considered to be under threat.
However, the couple have received a letter informing them that the scheme has run out of money.However, the couple have received a letter informing them that the scheme has run out of money.
The police officer was told in March that he was a target of dissidents.The police officer was told in March that he was a target of dissidents.
He and his family moved immediately and were assured that they would qualify for assistance.He and his family moved immediately and were assured that they would qualify for assistance.
However, the scheme, which is administered by the Housing Executive and the Department for Social Development has no funds left.However, the scheme, which is administered by the Housing Executive and the Department for Social Development has no funds left.
The family have been living in rented accommodation paid for by the PSNI, while continuing to pay the mortgage on their former home.The family have been living in rented accommodation paid for by the PSNI, while continuing to pay the mortgage on their former home.
Their time in the rented property is about to end. They were about to sign the paperwork on a new home but that now has to be put on hold.Their time in the rented property is about to end. They were about to sign the paperwork on a new home but that now has to be put on hold.
In over 30 years of service I have never encountered the utter heartlessness that the Federation is now witnessing Terry Spence - Police Federation ChairmanIn over 30 years of service I have never encountered the utter heartlessness that the Federation is now witnessing Terry Spence - Police Federation Chairman
In the intervening six months, the officer, who is in his his late 30s, has suffered a stroke, leaving him partially sighted. In the intervening six months, the officer, who is in his his late 30s, has suffered a stroke, leaving him partially sighted
The police officer's wife, who did not wish to be identified, said she feels her family have been treated "in an appalling manner".
"I feel that we have been abandoned to our fate," she said.
"Basically we have been shoved somewhere out of the road and nobody wants to take responsibility, nobody wants to help.
"It happened obviously because a terrorist organisation decided that they wanted to make an impact on our lives.
"But we just feel that the government have done exactly the same thing again and they are the one who are voted in to protect us.
"They have just devastated our lives in the the same way as the terrorist organisation, by threatening my husband's life, devastated it."
The Police Federation has written to the Security Minister Paul Goggins, urging him to resolve the issue.The Police Federation has written to the Security Minister Paul Goggins, urging him to resolve the issue.
In the letter, Federation chairman, Terry Spence, wrote that if the SPED (Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings) scheme could not come up with the cash, the government had a clear duty to intervene.In the letter, Federation chairman, Terry Spence, wrote that if the SPED (Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings) scheme could not come up with the cash, the government had a clear duty to intervene.
"In over 30 years of service I have never encountered the utter heartlessness that the Federation is now witnessing," Mr Spence wrote."In over 30 years of service I have never encountered the utter heartlessness that the Federation is now witnessing," Mr Spence wrote.
"There is no regard from the NIO that this officer is prepared to risk his life - as all police officers do in performing their duty on behalf of the community."There is no regard from the NIO that this officer is prepared to risk his life - as all police officers do in performing their duty on behalf of the community.
"That appears to count for nothing should the officer's life be directly threatened with murder at home.""That appears to count for nothing should the officer's life be directly threatened with murder at home."
It's understood that last year the budget for SPED was £1.5m.It's understood that last year the budget for SPED was £1.5m.
However the Department of Social Development ended up spending £9.8m after more money was found through the end of year monitoring round where surplus cash is reallocated.However the Department of Social Development ended up spending £9.8m after more money was found through the end of year monitoring round where surplus cash is reallocated.
This year the budget is again £1.5m. So far, all of that has been committed and no extra cash has been found.This year the budget is again £1.5m. So far, all of that has been committed and no extra cash has been found.
Despite the budget having run out, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Development said that "no lives would be put in danger".Despite the budget having run out, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Development said that "no lives would be put in danger".
"There is a duty to re-house those under threat and the Housing Executive continues to provide that service," the spokesperson said."There is a duty to re-house those under threat and the Housing Executive continues to provide that service," the spokesperson said.
"With regard to the SPED scheme, under which properties of those affected are purchased, it is well documented that there is a major shortfall in the housing budget."With regard to the SPED scheme, under which properties of those affected are purchased, it is well documented that there is a major shortfall in the housing budget.
"The Housing Executive has to manage within these financial constraints but the Department will be seeking more funding for Housing Executive programs in the current budget monitoring round.""The Housing Executive has to manage within these financial constraints but the Department will be seeking more funding for Housing Executive programs in the current budget monitoring round."