Ritchie 'wrong' over loyalist funds
THE High Court has quashed Margaret Ritchie's decision to axe a funding scheme for loyalists.
Mr Justice Morgan ruled that the Social Development Minister failed to follow the correct procedures in relation to business brought before the Stormont Executive.
Ms Ritchie halted the Conflict Transformation Initiative in October 2007 after the Ulster Defence Association failed to meet her 60-day ultimatum to end criminality and start decommissioning its weapons.
Amid claims that the Minister acted unlawfully, a member of staff at Farset, an independent body appointed to oversee the project first set up under the Direct Rule regime, is seeking a judicial review of her decision.
During the case it was alleged that Ms Ritchie breached the ministerial code by failing to first obtain the approval of ministerial colleagues.
Mr Justice Morgan said he was satisfied the issue had come before the Stormont cabinet, with a determination made on how it should proceed.
But he declared: "The error in this case is procedural in that the Minister did not act in accordance with that process."
He added: "Accordingly I make an order of certiorari quashing the decision of the Minister to cease the funding of the CTI."
Reacting to the High Court judgement, a spokesman for the Department for Social Development said the Minister held the view she was right to stop funding the UDA linked project at that time and would take the same decision again.
"Obviously the Minister has to take time to read the judgement. However, she welcomes the fact that on the main substantive points her decision was sound," he said.
"The arguments against her i.e. that she had failed to consult, that her mind was made up, or that she had no right to take the decision were thrown out by the court. The judge in effect ruled that the problem was an "error in procedure".
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Monday 28 May 2012
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