Sugden can save courts from closure

As the pivot of the new executive, she has a unique opportunity to make her ministry responsive to the needs of the people.

One of the first things that she should do would be to reverse the unpopular and retrograde proposals to close local courthouses – particularly Limavady in her own constituency.

Miss Sugden has always been sympathetic to the powerful case which has been advanced by a broad spectrum of local community groups, politicians, and lawyers.

She has spoken out strongly against the deprivation which has blighted the local community, most recently at an economic debate hosted by the Roe Valley Chamber of Commerce.

I believe that she has a much more realistic grasp of the real world than the civil servants who made the decision to close our local court.

The modest savings which closing courthouses will make are far outweighed by the resulting financial hardship for many of the most vulnerable in our society.

If she wants to begin her ministerial career with a strong, tangible landmark of her intention to preside over a justice system fit for the needs of the twenty-first century, there can be no better signal of the legacy that her tenure of office will leave than for her to reverse the decision to close a much valued and needed local asset.

David Brewster, By email