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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. |