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Written question asked by Lord Laird (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Monday, 11 May 2009.


Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following the murders of two soldiers in Antrim on 7 March and a police constable in Craigavon on 10 March, Professor Monica McWilliams, of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, waited 15 days from the arrest before visiting the suspects in a police station; and, if not, whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland tested the legality of any visit.
Answer

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's visit to Antrim serious crime suite was arranged within short notice with the agreement of the chief constable and the commission's formal investigation powers were not invoked. The commission routinely visits places of detention with the agreement of the relevant authorities, as part of its remit under Section 69(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
3221; 710 c165WA
Session
2008-09
Subjects
Detainees Army Homicide Northern Ireland Police Service of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Terrorism Police stations Visits Antrim McWilliams, Monica
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk