Ombudsman Crisis – Independence critical



The resignation of Sam Pollock from the Office of the Police Ombudsman raises significant and serious concerns.

The independence and rigour of oversight of the new Police Service is a critical issue.

It is an issue of government and political party agreement on new policing arrangements.

It is an issue of compliance with Article 2 of the European Human Rights Act – the Right to Life.

It is an issue of societal confidence in oversight of policing.

It is an issue of law in our transitional society.

The issues at stake and raised by a very respected and credible figure must be immediately investigated. This investigation must be thoroughly independent of all of the implicated agencies ie. The Ombudsman’s Office; the Department of Justice; the PSNI; the NIO civil service.