Burrows slams Stormont's first ministers over 'failure' to review Police Ombudsman's security vetting
Jon Burrows has hit out at Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly over the Executive Office’s “failure” to initiate a review of the Police Ombudsman’s vetting when she was under criminal investigation in 2023.
The Ulster Unionist Party leader has also pointed to confusion across government about who is responsible for oversight of security clearance for the role – describing it as “staggering”.
The comments come after DUP leader Gavin Robinson used parliamentary privilege to claim that Marie Anderson was appointed to the role despite not being given security clearance and “despite security service concerns”. The retired ombudsman has not responded to the claims.
Mr Burrows said: “It is a matter of public record that, following an incident at her home in September 2023, Ms Marie Anderson was subject to a protracted criminal investigation. This ought to have led to a review of her security clearance under established vetting protocols.”
He said the “failure to initiate a review” lies with the Executive Office – and should have been conducted in 2023, but “there is no indication it was, just a passing of responsibility”.
“The Secretary of State has said that initiating such a review is a devolved matter, while our relevant ministers deny it is anything to do with them. Furthermore, our scrutiny has revealed that there is no power to suspend a Police Ombudsman under any circumstances. This is staggering.
“There are serious issues to be addressed in relation to the handling of vetting matters relating to the former Ombudsman and the overall accountability arrangements for the Office. Transparency and reform are paramount”, he said.
In December last year, Mr Burrows asked the Executive Office about the matter – but the department said the “policy governing this matter is a UK government one”.
Mrs Anderson was investigated for alleged misconduct in public office and for the potential offence of perverting the course of justice following a domestic incident in 2023. After an independent investigation, the Public Prosecution Service said there was no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence.