Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA is meeting Secretary of State Hilary Benn in London today, where he will raise serious concerns about security vetting and accountability arrangements surrounding the Office of the Police Ombudsman.

Jon Burrows MLA said:

"The person who holds the Office of Police Ombudsman has significant powers and holds the highest security clearance in the land in order to access material classified as “Top Secret”. 

“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.” 

“Despite engaging with the Justice Minister, the First and Deputy First Minister, and, via Robin Swann MP, the Secretary of State, it is impossible to establish whether a security review was completed.

“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 and I will raise them with the Secretary of State today when meeting with him in London.”