Doug Beattie: Judith Thompson made serious mistakes, such as failing to ensure that victims were treated differently to perpetrators

The news that the Victims Commissioner — Judith Thompson — will not have her position extended is not surprising.
The Victims' Commissioner Judith Thompson. "Her decision to allow an unapologetic IRA bomber onto the Victims Forum knowing that there was a victim on it who lost a child due to an IRA bomb was unforgivable," says Doug BeattieThe Victims' Commissioner Judith Thompson. "Her decision to allow an unapologetic IRA bomber onto the Victims Forum knowing that there was a victim on it who lost a child due to an IRA bomb was unforgivable," says Doug Beattie
The Victims' Commissioner Judith Thompson. "Her decision to allow an unapologetic IRA bomber onto the Victims Forum knowing that there was a victim on it who lost a child due to an IRA bomb was unforgivable," says Doug Beattie

There is no doubt that this is not an easy job, and the nature of life in Northern Ireland coupled with the legacy of the Troubles virtually guarantees that.

However, even allowing for that, there is no question that several serious mistakes were made — not least a reluctance to ensure that perpetrators were not treated the same as victims within the victims pensions scheme.

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The decision to allow a convicted and unapologetic IRA bomber onto the Victims Forum knowing that there was a victim on the forum who lost a child due to an IRA bomb was unforgivable.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Furthermore, her refusal to acknowledge that the existing legislation meant she had it in her power to ensure that legislation being brought forward should distinguish between victims and perpetrators, was and is another reason why she no longer has the trust of some victims groups, and many members of the public and politicians alike.

All these issues will now have to be resolved by her successor, and whilst I do wish Judith Thompson well in whatever role she assumes, I also want to see a new commissioner who puts innocent victims front and centre.

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