Police Association for Northern Ireland (PANI) Statement Following the Withdrawal of a Judicial Review Brought Against the Police Ombudsman, 23 January 2003

2002 No. 34

1. In view of the following terms PANI discontinues this litigation;

2. This judicial review application arose out of the PONI Omagh bomb report. The issues in these proceedings are primarily concerned with the new regimes for investigating police conduct in accordance with the Ombudsman’s statutory powers.

3. The conclusions of the Omagh bomb report were highly critical of certain PSNI members. The Ombudsman now acknowledges, with the benefit of hindsight, that certain PSNI members should have been given notice, or better notice, of the allegations against them and a better opportunity to respond, having regard to the requirements of natural justice. The Ombudsman believed, however, that there was considerable urgency in the production of the report.

4. The Ombudsman, having regard to all information in her possession, now and then, confirms the contents and conclusions of her report.

5. On 7^th February 2002 the PBNI stated that there were various issues about the procedures end protocols pertaining to reports. The Ombudsman bearing in mind the Importance of natural justice, reaffirm her commitment to meet PSNI in order to progress this issue. PANI welcomes this.

6. The parties consider that this resolution of their differences is in the public interest.

7. PANI fervently hopes that this matter is now finally closed and believes that it would not be in the public interest for the matter to be further ventilated in public.