There needs to be examination of the reasons for the strikingly low number of prosecutors of a Protestant background in Northern Ireland

The scale of that imbalance has now been laid bare. Figures obtained by Jim Allister QC show that only 50 of 169 PPS permanent or temporary prosecutors have a Protestant background. Some 110 have a Catholic background, and nine are ‘not determined’.

These are disturbing findings. It means that prosecutors from a Catholic background are more than double the numbers of those from a Protestant background

The director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron says that they take their “responsibilities in providing a wholly impartial and high quality prosecution service to the people of Northern Ireland very seriously”. Prosecution decisions are taken objectively he says after careful analysis of evidence.

Everyone of goodwill will hope and trust that that is so. But the fact that the imbalance is so great means it needs to be said. Also because of the context of recent years in which a various voices, often outside of the prosecuting service, have insisted there is no imbalance in charges for historic killings.

This is supposedly proven by data that shows a similar number of republicans and soldiers being prosecuted for such killings, but that is misleading, because it could imply that a roughly even rate of prosecutions between loyalists, republicans and state forces is appropriate, as if all were equally culpable. In fact the state only killed 10% of the overall dead, and most of those killings were legal.

Also, the soldiers and terrorists who face trial are low ranking. Terrorist leaders do not face trial, despite their culpability for massive bloodshed.

There are many possible reasons for an imbalance in prosecutions, perhaps entirely unconnected to PPS. But perception is key in Northern Ireland so there needs to be close examination of the reasons for such a stark religious background imbalance in a vital and sensitive arm of the state.

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor