Mr. Justice Weir should acknowledge he made a mistake

South Belfast DUP MLA and NI Policing Board Member, Jimmy Spratt, has responded to the publication of a report by the Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchison. The Police Ombudsman cleared two PSNI officers of any wrongdoing, who had been accused by Mr Justice Weir of ‘deliberate and calculated deception’, at the time of the acquittal of Sean Hoey.  Commenting following the release of the report, Mr. Spratt said:

 

"When acquitting Sean Hoey of the Omagh bombing, Mr Justice Weir questioned the professional conduct of the PSNI and went as far as accusing officers of providing evidence that was ‘false and misleading’, ‘reprehensible’ and engaging in ‘deliberate and calculated deception’.

 

Following the release of the report by the Police Ombudsman into these matters, we now know, that following a thorough investigation into the actions of these officers that they had at all times conducted themselves properly. 

 

These officers have had to suffer a very public condemnation at the hands of Mr Justice Weir, by his calling into question their integrity and professionalism. They further had to suffer the humiliation of the acquitted man’s mother stating that police officers had been “lying through their teeth.’ This is not to mention the disappointment and disillusionment caused as a result of Mr Justice Weir’s comments amongst the families of the victims.

 

Mr Justice Weir needs to account for his summing up that day, and for the hurt and embarrassment it clearly caused to the PSNI officers in question. The conduct of the PSNI officers has been proven to be acceptable. Mr Justice Weir should acknowledge his mistake and act accordingly."