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Broad welcome for new ombudsman Broad welcome for new ombudsman
(3 days later)
Both sides of the community have welcomed the appointment of Al Hutchinson as Northern Ireland's new police ombudsman. Both unionists and nationalists have welcomed the appointment of Al Hutchinson as Northern Ireland's new police ombudsman.
Mr Hutchinson, who oversaw police reform in Northern Ireland, will succeed Nuala O'Loan later this year. Mr Hutchinson, 59, who oversaw police reform in Northern Ireland, will succeed Nuala O'Loan later this year.
Ian Paisley jnr, DUP, said it was a fresh start for the ombudsman's office.Ian Paisley jnr, DUP, said it was a fresh start for the ombudsman's office.
Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said Mr Hutchinson must show similar courage to Mrs O'Loan. Dolores Kelly, SDLP, said she would be a hard act to follow.Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said Mr Hutchinson must show similar courage to Mrs O'Loan. Dolores Kelly, SDLP, said she would be a hard act to follow.
She said there would be challenges ahead for Mr Hutchinson.
"Attempts will be made to limit the statutory obligation of the ombudsman to probe the past, to construct a false consensus around the need to draw a line under the past," she said."Attempts will be made to limit the statutory obligation of the ombudsman to probe the past, to construct a false consensus around the need to draw a line under the past," she said.
"There is a difference between drawing a line and throwing a blanket over the past. There must be no such limitations on our right to know the truth.""There is a difference between drawing a line and throwing a blanket over the past. There must be no such limitations on our right to know the truth."
Mr Paisley, a former member of the Policing Board, said Mr Hutchinson was neutral.Mr Paisley, a former member of the Policing Board, said Mr Hutchinson was neutral.
Nuala O'Loan's term of office ends in November
"I don't believe that Al Hutchinson could be regarded as a controversial figure," he said."I don't believe that Al Hutchinson could be regarded as a controversial figure," he said.
"He wouldn't be regarded as someone with any kind of political baggage whatsoever, and I think that that affords... the office of ombudsman the luxury of having a fresh start and a non controversial start. "He wouldn't be regarded as someone with any kind of political baggage whatsoever, and I think that that affords... the office of ombudsman the luxury of having a fresh start and a non controversial start."
"I hope it will allow for a normalisation of relationships between the Police Federation... and the police ombudsman."
Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said that he looked forward to working with Mr Hutchinson.
He said: "Nuala O'Loan has during her time as Ombudsman not shied away from issues like collusion.
"She was at times faced with a lack of co-operation from both serving and former officers.
"People will expect the new incumbent to show similar courage in dealing with these sorts of difficult issues particularly given the recent failure of the British government to face up to these matters."
Mr Hutchison, 59, is expected to take over from Mrs O'Loan next November.
Before his appointment as oversight commissioner in 2004, Mr Hutchinson served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for nearly 34 years.
He said he was pleased to have been selected for such a vital and challenging position and he was looking forward to it.