Victims post is 'even more of a lawsuit waiting to happen than before'

4.45.00pm GMT Fri 25th Jan 2008

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA

Alliance Deputy Leader Naomi Long MLA has said that following the appointment of four Victims Commissioners, the process is even more of a lawsuit waiting to happen than before. She said that a number of massive questions have been raised after the First and Deputy First Ministers moved the goalposts and appointed four people to the post instead of one.

Naomi Long MLA said: "What are legal implications of these appointments? The First and Deputy First Ministers have moved goalposts at the last minute and changed context of entire process.

"There may be people who would have applied to be appointed to a panel such as this, but did not consider doing so, as only one single post was advertised.

"There is also the issue of whether those who applied for the single post would have been content to have been appointed to a panel.

"I have said before that this process is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and that has never been truer than it is today.

"Not only have the First and Deputy First Minister's actions shown disregard for applicants and Assembly procedures, they have shown total disregard to victims and survivors, as they clearly haven't been consulted on the change to the nature of the post.

"Today's events are further evidence of the First and Deputy First Minister's total inability to deliver and agree on anything of substance."

ENDS