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Sir Declan Morgan condemns Edwin Poots comments Sir Declan Morgan condemns Edwin Poots comments
(34 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's most senior judge has said comments by Health Minister Edwin Poots were detrimental to the rule of law and damaging to public confidence in the justice system.Northern Ireland's most senior judge has said comments by Health Minister Edwin Poots were detrimental to the rule of law and damaging to public confidence in the justice system.
Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan outlined his concerns in a letter to the first and deputy first ministers eight months ago.Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan outlined his concerns in a letter to the first and deputy first ministers eight months ago.
He has still not received a reply.He has still not received a reply.
Last year, a judge ruled that Mr Poots' decision not to lift a ban on gay men giving blood was irrational.Last year, a judge ruled that Mr Poots' decision not to lift a ban on gay men giving blood was irrational.
The health minister strongly criticised the ruling, saying he believed the judge was wrong.The health minister strongly criticised the ruling, saying he believed the judge was wrong.
Speaking in the assembly, he also said he did not not believe he would receive a fair hearing if he brought the matter to the Court of Appeal, suggesting that judges might circle their wagons.Speaking in the assembly, he also said he did not not believe he would receive a fair hearing if he brought the matter to the Court of Appeal, suggesting that judges might circle their wagons.
Those comments prompted the lord chief justice to send a strongly worded letter of complaint to the first and deputy first ministers.Those comments prompted the lord chief justice to send a strongly worded letter of complaint to the first and deputy first ministers.
Sir Declan Morgan released a copy of the letter to the BBC on Friday.Sir Declan Morgan released a copy of the letter to the BBC on Friday.
In it, he said it was entirely unacceptable for a minister to suggest that the Court of Appeal was biased or unfair.In it, he said it was entirely unacceptable for a minister to suggest that the Court of Appeal was biased or unfair.
It goes on to say that the statement is not only untrue, but also damaging to public confidence in the administration of justice.It goes on to say that the statement is not only untrue, but also damaging to public confidence in the administration of justice.
"Regrettably, this is not the first time that I have had to raise such concerns, which only adds to the seriousness with which I view the matter," the letter states."Regrettably, this is not the first time that I have had to raise such concerns, which only adds to the seriousness with which I view the matter," the letter states.
"Our system of government depends on mutual respect between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary."Our system of government depends on mutual respect between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
"That is something which I wish to promote."That is something which I wish to promote.
"These comments by Minister Poots, however, are damaging to the constitutional relationships and are not in the public interest.""These comments by Minister Poots, however, are damaging to the constitutional relationships and are not in the public interest."
A department spokesperson said; "The minister has publicly stated that this is a matter for the fairness and impartiality of the courts."
Earlier this year the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt began a legal appeal after the judge ruled it was up to him to decide if gay men could donate blood in NI. The ban was lifted in Britain in 2011.Earlier this year the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt began a legal appeal after the judge ruled it was up to him to decide if gay men could donate blood in NI. The ban was lifted in Britain in 2011.
Mr Poots has also begun a legal challenge to the ruling.Mr Poots has also begun a legal challenge to the ruling.