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09/11/2006
Secretary of State criticised over appointment
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State Peter Hain has been criticised for "improper political purpose" over the appointment of the interim Victims' Commissioner.
Mr Justice Girvan upheld an application for a judicial review of the appointment of Mrs Bertha McDougall and said that there should be inquiry into the appointment.
The judge also ruled that the Secretary of State had not taken into account that the appointment would receive cross-community support.
He described the appointment as a breach of the accepted norms for appointments to public office.
However, Mr Justice Girvan said that his ruling should not in any way reflect on Mrs McDougall's competence, integrity or quality of work.
The appointment had been challenged by Brenda Downes from west Belfast whose husband was killed by a plastic bullet in 1984.
(SP/EF)
Mr Justice Girvan upheld an application for a judicial review of the appointment of Mrs Bertha McDougall and said that there should be inquiry into the appointment.
The judge also ruled that the Secretary of State had not taken into account that the appointment would receive cross-community support.
He described the appointment as a breach of the accepted norms for appointments to public office.
However, Mr Justice Girvan said that his ruling should not in any way reflect on Mrs McDougall's competence, integrity or quality of work.
The appointment had been challenged by Brenda Downes from west Belfast whose husband was killed by a plastic bullet in 1984.
(SP/EF)
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