The South Antrim MLA said, “The Police Ombudsman should have stepped aside at the time of the incident, but an announcement has only been made today that she will take a leave of absence a few months before she intends to retire.
The DUP has been consistently raising this issue at the Policing Board, but the statement today appears only to have come following more significant public discussion on the news. During that time there has been continued damage to public confidence in the Ombudsman’s office.
Previously the Ombudsman had said it wouldn’t be possible for the office to continue to function if she stepped aside, but now responsibility has been delegated to other staff. Unfortunately, today’s statement doesn’t end the saga and uncertainty continues.”