Bobby Storey funeral: Equality Commission receives allegations of discrimination alongside ombudsman

Two public watchdog bodies have confirmed they have received complaints linked to the Bobby Storey funeral.
Geraldine McGaheyGeraldine McGahey
Geraldine McGahey

The Equality Commission says it has received “a number of enquiries on this matter” from members of the public who believe discrimination had occurred in connection with the funeral.

Citing confidentiality, thre commissioner’s office would not elaborate further.

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In addition, the NI Public Services Ombudsman, which looks at “complaints about maladminitration by public bodies”, has also received one connected to the funeral saga.

The news coiincided with a statement from TUV leader Jim Allister on Tuesday, urging people to complain.

He said: “It is clear that there was selective preference given to one family, that of Bobby Storey, in contrast to other eight other families on the very day he was cremated who were denied the same treatment. That is blatant maladministration and it needs to be addressed.”

That was a matter for the ombudsman, he said.

But he also went on to add: “Furthermore, I believe the families should lodge a formal complaint with the Equality Commission.

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“Section 75 of the 1998 Northern Ireland Act makes it clear that public authorities like Belfast City Council ‘need to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different... political opinion’.

“The Council has accepted that there was not equality of treatment for all those cremated last Tuesday.

“There is more than a suspicion that one family was given different treatment because of their political connections. I believe those families have a very strong case to lodge a complaint against the council.”