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Human rights group CAJ criticises police ombudsman CAJ says police ombudsman office 'not fit for purpose'
(about 2 hours later)
The police ombudsman is the focus of fierce criticism in a new report by an independent human rights group. The police ombudsman office is not "fit for purpose", according to an independent human rights group.
The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) questions the ombudsman's independence from police and the Northern Ireland Office. A Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) report has questioned the ombudsman's independence from police and the Northern Ireland Office.
CAJ also accuses the body of failing to hold police to account for historic cases from the Troubles. It has also raised concerns about the recruitment process, which led to Al Hutchinson getting the post in 2007.
It raises concerns about the recruitment process which led to Al Hutchinson getting the post in 2007. Director of CAJ Mike Ritchie said problems within the office must be "urgently" addressed.
The report is highly critical of the way the office operates. "In our minds we have discovered irregularities in the appointment process," Mr Ritchie added.
The ombudsman is already facing two investigations into allegations that the independence of his office has been compromised. "In total what we are saying is there are serious questions about the operation of the police ombudsman."
The report also accuses the ombudsman of failing to hold police to account for historic cases from the troubles and criticise the length of time it takes to investigate cases. He said the report was not a "personal attack" on Mr Hutchinson and did not call for his resignation.
The CAJ report is due to be published later. "But what we are saying is there are eight fairly serious recommendations and we would like to see movement on all of them," said Mr Ritchie.
The report, released on Thursday, is highly critical of the way the ombudsman operates.
It has accused the office of failing to hold police to account for historic cases from the Troubles and criticises the length of time it takes to investigate cases.
Mr Ritchie said the investigation into the independence of the office began last August after concerns were raised by families of victims of the Troubles.
Mr Hutchinson is already facing two investigations into allegations that the independence of his office has been compromised.
The full CAJ report is due to be published later.