Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Mark Durkan (Social Democratic & Labour Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 1 February 2017 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

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Security

Question

May I join in the condemnation of the deplorable attack on the police officer? May I also use this occasion to pay a quick tribute to my constituent and opponent, and now fellow former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, for the calibre and tenure of his service in our democratic institutions? I wish him well in his personal battle.

Does the Secretary of State recognise that, in meeting Executive Ministers, he would be meeting Ministers who have taken a pledge to uphold the rule of law, based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts? Will he meet that same benchmark and remove the comments he has previously made—

Answer

I am very clear on upholding the rule of law and seeing that we support our agencies, which have that independence to pursue evidence where they see it. Indeed, there is a very live ongoing investigation to get to the bottom of that appalling act and hold those responsible to account—it was an appalling act against a brave PSNI officer who was doing his duty, upholding the law and protecting the community.

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Secondary information

Type

Oral question

Reference

620 c1013 

Session

2016-17

Oral question type

Supplementary

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber

Subjects

Northern Ireland Security

Link

View this Oral question on hansard.parliament.uk