Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman takes temporary leave
Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman has announced she is taking a temporary leave of absence.
Marie Anderson said she has delegated authority in her office's chief executive and senior staff to ensure the work examining complaints around the conduct of police in the region can continue in her absence.
It comes following the conclusion of an independent investigation into events relating to an incident at a property linked to Ms Anderson in Holywood, Co Down in 2023.
Police Service of Northern Ireland officers went to the property at about 6.30pm on Saturday September 23 2023, after a report of a domestic incident.
A man was arrested as part of the inquiry and later released pending a report to prosecutors.
A file was subsequently sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and a caution issued to the man who had been arrested.
West Midlands Police were then tasked with investigating further aspects of the incident.
They concluded their investigation earlier this month, and a file of evidence was sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).
On Tuesday, Ms Anderson said she has taken the decision to take a leave of absence due to 'current commentary'.
'Although I had decided to retire in December this year, which would have allowed me to fulfil my commitments to delivering the outcomes of investigations to a number of bereaved families, it has become increasingly clear that current commentary is detracting from the focus of that work,' she said.
'I am extremely grateful to those families who put their trust in me, and it is their interests which are at the heart of my decision today to take a temporary leave of absence with immediate effect.'
She went on: 'In my absence, I am delegating authority to my chief executive and senior staff as appropriate.
'This will ensure the vital work of the office continues, as there is no legal provision for the office to function without a Police Ombudsman.
'I have every confidence in all my staff and know they will work diligently and am grateful for their support in recent times.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Terrifying moment driver catapults holidaymakers into air after row over AirBnB - as he is jailed
By AirBnB rental. Johnathan Newbury, 33, was yesterday jailed for ten years for ploughing his SUV into pedestrians Ryan Jones, 18, and a 17-year-old boy. He had armed himself with a zombie knife and was 'intent on violence' during the car attack in July last year, a court heard. The row broke out after Newbury discovered the AirBnB he had rented for the weekend in Cardiff, Wales, had accidently been double booked. Newbury and his friend Elliott Fiteni, 23, were already inside the property when Mr Jones and the teenager turned up for their own stay. Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Newbury began hurling threats at the pair, shouting 'I'll f*** you up' through a window. He then hunted the men in a black SUV before mowing them down in the street. Newbury then fled the scene as the victims were left on the ground with serious injuries. Mr Jones suffered injuries to his pelvis and right foot while the teenager lost consciousness and sustained injuries to his jaw, ribs, chest and abdomen. Mr Wilson said the row had started over the booking made in the Cathays area of Cardiff in July of last year where Newbury was due to stay with friend Elliot Fiteni. He said: 'Mr Jones, [...] and another friend had booked an Airbnb on Bruce Street called the Comfortable Stay. 'By chance, a booking had been made at the same address on behalf of Mr Fiteni, who accepted he stayed at the address along with Mr Newbury. 'They were already at the building when Mr Jones and [...] walked towards it.' Newbury, of Cardiff, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article. Judge Jeremy Jenkins Newbury 'You were present at an AirBnB at Bruce Street in Cardiff, the two complainants [...] and Mr Jones had also booked accommodation at the same address and there had been an earlier altercation.' The judge said Newbury had then been part of a group 'armed with what has been described as a zombie knife' and 'intent on violence'. He said: 'The clear aim was to attack [...] and Mr Jones, both ran away from the scene.' Judge Jenkins said Newbury was the driver of the SUV which was 'seen to speed up, to drive on the wrong side of the road into the junction and to deliberately collide with the two men, throwing them up in the air.' Newbury was handed an extended sentence of 10 years and told he must serve at least five years and four months behind bars.
South Wales Argus
6 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
‘Disgraceful' to suggest police wipe records of trans criminals
Angela Constance admitted the force had made an 'error' after a newspaper report claimed a transgender killer had their record 'scrubbed'. The minister said she had asked Police Scotland to review its procedures in light of the incident. Ms Constance said she had been assured by the force it was an isolated incident and not part of a wider issue within the justice system. But a spokesman for Police Scotland said it would be 'inaccurate' to suggest the records in question had been 'wiped'. Police Scotland will review its procedures following the error (Andrew Milligan/PA) According to the Daily Record, a solicitor had requested a previous convictions disclosure from the Crown Office on prosecution witnesses in a case involving a conflict at HMP Greenock. The newspaper reports killer Alex Stewart – who changed their name from Alan Baker – was separated from their criminal past, with the disclosure returning without any convictions under Stewart's new name. At Holyrood on Tuesday, Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher asked Ms Constance how many transgender prisoners have had their criminal records erased following changes to their birth name. The Justice Secretary said: 'Let me be clear, a change of name does not under any circumstances alter a person's criminal record. 'All criminal records are maintained in accordance with established retention and sharing protocols and remain fully accessible to the justice system, including for disclosure in court proceedings where appropriate. I will be asking a topical question later today on transgender prisoners having their criminal records wiped, as a result of changing their names. Here are some thoughts below 👇🏻 — Meghan Gallacher MSP (@MGallacherMSP) June 17, 2025 'Police Scotland has acknowledged an error in one case reported in the media and acknowledges that should not have occurred. 'I have sought and received assurances from Police Scotland that this was an isolated incident and not reflective of broader issues in their recording practices. 'I have also asked Police Scotland to ensure that steps will be taken to review systems and procedures in light of the reported.' She said it was an error 'in one case' around disclosure, not data recording systems. She said Stewart's crimes were still recorded in the killer's criminal history. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'We are aware of an issue relating to the previous convictions of a victim, which were omitted from a report submitted ahead of a case heard at Greenock Sheriff Court. 'The issue has been rectified and work is ongoing to prevent similar scenarios taking place in the future. Officers are continuing to liaise with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).' They added: 'The criminal records referred to in this case have not been wiped – they remain in place. 'It would be inaccurate to suggest otherwise.' Ms Constance insisted there could be 'no separation' between an individual and their criminal past, no matter how many name changes or changes to gender identity are made. Ms Gallacher said the error should never have happened and raised concerns the records of killers and sex offenders could be erased. Alba MSP Ash Regan claimed she had evidence that Stewart's case was not a 'mere administrative error' but was part of 'systemic data corruption' driven by 'years of unlawful self-ID policy'. Ms Regan did not say what evidence she held. Tory MSP Sharon Dowey described the situation as a 'shambles'. She added: 'We know that dangerous male offenders have gamed the SNP system to serve their sentences in women's prisons, and now they are even getting their criminal records wiped.' The Justice Secretary rejected Ms Dowey's claims, saying: 'It is utterly inaccurate and misleading and somewhat disingenuous, if not disgraceful, to suggest that Police Scotland wipe criminal records. 'Under no circumstances do Police Scotland wipe criminal records, and under no circumstances can anyone, irrespective of their name, status, whether they are male, female, transgender, can they escape from a criminal past – they cannot.' A spokesperson for COPFS said: 'The previous conviction record for this witness was shared quickly once the error was identified and there was no risk to the public or impact on the criminal proceedings. 'We will support Police Scotland's review of their systems and consider if additional guidance for our staff is required.'
The Sun
6 minutes ago
- The Sun
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Leipzig name HUGE Sesko price tag, Gunners ‘back in' for Watkins as Gyokeres alterntive
Sesko boost Arsenal have received a timely boost in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko. The north Londoners have reportedly reignited their interest in the Slovenian after getting frustrated with their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon hitman Viktor Gyokeres. And RB Leipzig are said to stepping up their efforts to replace Sesko with Goztepe striker Romulo. The Gunners, however, will have to pay at least £60million if they want to make Sesko their new No.9.
