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CAJ says police ombudsman office 'not fit for purpose' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The police ombudsman office is not "fit for purpose", according to an independent human rights group. | |
A Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) report has questioned the ombudsman's independence from police and the Northern Ireland Office. | |
It has also raised 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. | |
"In our minds we have discovered irregularities in the appointment process," Mr Ritchie added. | |
"In total what we are saying is there are serious questions about the operation of the police ombudsman." | |
He said the report was not a "personal attack" on Mr Hutchinson and did not call for his resignation. | |
"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. |