Latest news with #NorthernIrelandOffice
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Robin Masefield obituary
My colleague Robin Masefield, who has died aged 73 of pancreatic cancer, was the director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service from 2004 to 2010. His 40-year career in public service was largely focused on Northern Ireland, where he led policing reform, and the creation of a statutory framework for parades. He was the first graduate recruited into the newly established Northern Ireland Office in 1973, from where his strong connection to the island of Ireland began. By 1983, he had spent several years abroad working for the Hong Kong government, where he helped draft the first green paper on widening local government representation. A subsequent role in the Home Office in the mid-1980s introduced Robin to prisons and criminal justice reform. Having returned to work in the Northern Ireland Office in 1985, Robin was asked to lead the secretariat supporting an independent panel reviewing arrangements for parades and marches in Northern Ireland, during a period of unrest and violence in the mid-90s. The North Report, published in 1997, and written largely by Robin in just three months, led to the establishment of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland. It was unsurprising, following the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, that Robin was subsequently asked to lead the team responsible for implementing the controversial reforms to the Royal Ulster Constabulary, recommended by the Independent Commission on Policing in Northern Ireland, chaired by Chris Patten, in 1999. His attention to detail was crucial as every aspect of policing reform and legislation in parliament was under scrutiny from both unionist and nationalist politicians. Robin's final post was as director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, where he led the organisation through changes in the run-up to the devolution of criminal justice and policing in Northern Ireland in 2010. He helped to change the Prison Service from a security focus to one that promoted prisoners' rehabilitation instead. Born in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, Robin was the son of Geoffrey Masefield, a lecturer specialising in tropical agriculture at Oxford University, and Joy (nee Rogers), who was a theatrical producer. Robin was educated at Marlborough college in Wiltshire before studying social anthropology at St John's College, Cambridge. Retiring from public service at the end of 2010, he resumed his interest in historical research and writing books, including a lengthy study of the contribution of Irish people engaged in public administration in east Asia during the 19th century. He was active in his local community of Helen's Bay, County Down, dedicating much time to improving the environment with guerrilla gardening; he was also a school governor and on the board of Oxfam Ireland for many years. Robin will be remembered for his contributions to public service, for which he was appointed CBE in 2003, and his work in support of the peace process in Northern Ireland, He met Rosemary Drew when working in Belfast and they married in Hong Kong in 1981. Rosemary survives him, along with his three children, Anna, Sarah and Johnny.
RTÉ News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Extension for NI bodies to complete Troubles-related reports
The UK government has granted a six-month extension to the time investigative organisations have to complete Troubles-related reports. Under the controversial Legacy Act, bodies such as the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman's office had until the end of this month to publish final reports. The British government was asked by several organisations for an extension. It has now granted that. The timeframe for completion of any post-investigative tasks has been moved until 31 October. "A transitional provision was made under the Act which specified that, where all that remains to be carried out by the investigating body is the preparation of the investigation report or something subsequent to that, it may carry out those post-investigative tasks until 30th April 2025," the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said in a statement. "The Government received requests from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, KENOVA and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to extend that provision in order to allow remaining post-investigative tasks to be carried out. "The government is committed to ensuring families receive information as soon as possible about what happened to their loved ones, so has agreed to extend the provision until 31st October 2025." Northern Secretary Hiliary Benn has said the Labour government will replace the Legacy Act. But he intends to hold onto the investigation and truth recovery body established by it. Families say the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery also has to go. Mr Benn says he will introduce primary legislation when parliamentary time allows which will strengthen the independence and accountability of the new body. The Police Ombudsman's office welcomed the extension. "This new timeframe will allow the Ombudsman to provide her conclusions on these investigations to affected families with a greater amount of time and space for them to consider and digest the findings, and to report publicly on remaining cases. "May 1st 2024 is the date that all criminal investigations about Troubles-related offences ceased under the Legacy Act."
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
DUP slams ‘disgraceful' comments by UK minister who hinted Irish unity decision would be ‘based on opinion polls'
Michelle McIlveen was speaking after Labour MP Fleur Anderson – who is under secretary in the Northern Ireland Office – indicated that the criteria for when a vote would be triggered would be 'based on opinion polls'. Ms McIlveen, the DUP's deputy leader, said that a border poll would be 'divisive' and that 'most people living here just want to make Northern Ireland work'. She said Ms Anderson's comments were 'ill-considered'. Under the Good Friday Agreement, the power to call a Border poll on Irish unity rests with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. However, they have consistently refused to outline what exactly would be required. The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has appeared to distance itself from Ms Anderson's comments, saying 'responsibility for a referendum sits solely with the Secretary of State'. 'This is clearly set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which gives effect to the Good Friday Agreement and the principle of consent,' a spokesperson said. 'This has been — and remains — the only condition. The Secretary of State has been clear that there is no evidence that this condition has been met.' It came after a weekend in Sinn Féin renewed calls for a border poll by 2030. Ms McIlveen said support for nationalist, pro-border poll parties had remained static since 1998. 'The combined support for the SDLP and Sinn Fein in 1998 was 39.6pc and in 2022 was 38.1pc,' she added. 'The suggestion by Minister Fleur Anderson that opinion polls could dictate the timing of a Border poll is ill-judged. 'The sgreement makes clear that such a decision rests with the Secretary of State, based on clear evidence of a likely majority for constitutional change, not some haphazard opinion poll. 'That a minister in His Majesty's Government seems ambivalent and so uncertain about maintaining the Union is quite disgraceful. 'Last Friday, it was the Secretary of State who shared his irrelevant musings that we are ignorant of the law and how Northern Ireland is governed. Today, it's the Minister of State. Collectively, the NIO ministers need better counsel. They must do better.' The NIO has been contacted for comment on Ms McIlveen's remarks. The legislation states the Secretary of State should call a referendum on Irish unity 'if it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the UK and form part of united Ireland'. Earlier this year, a LucidTalk poll published by the Belfast Telegraph showed that 48pc of Northern Ireland voters want to stay in the UK, while 41pc are in favour of constitutional change. In last year's Westminster election, the total unionist vote was just over 43pc while the nationalist vote was slightly over 40pc. In a survey last year there was a 10-point gap between the two sides; with 49pc supporting staying in the UK, while 39pc wanted Irish unity. In our most recent survey, 10pc of people said they were unsure how they'd vote, while 1pc would abstain or spoil their ballot.
Belfast Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Drive for unity ‘growing every day' says Sinn Fein after MP says opinion poll will decide when there's referendum
Ireland 'in end days of partition', claimed leader McDonald on Easter Sunday Sinn Fein has said momentum towards a border poll is growing every day, after a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister said any decision to call a referendum will be guided by opinion polls. While the NIO has distanced itself from the comments of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson by insisting 'responsibility for a referendum sits solely with the Secretary of State', Stormont's largest party welcomed the insight into departmental decision making. 'The momentum towards constitutional change on this island is growing visibly day by day,' a Sinn Fein spokesperson said.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
NI Secretary to take part in St Patrick's Day events in US
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn will meet members of the Trump administration as he takes in St Patrick's Day events in Washington DC this week. The trip, which coincides with Irish premier Micheal Martin and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly's visit to the US capital, is billed as an opportunity to 'celebrate the strong ties between Northern Ireland and the United States'. The Northern Ireland Office said investment, trade and economic growth in the region is at the top of Mr Benn's agenda. It added that the UK-US special relationship is built on a foundation of deep security, military and intelligence links as well as unique cultural and person-to-person ties. The Northern Ireland Secretary will advance bilateral relations with the US administration, members of Congress, business leaders, and other key stakeholders. The Northern Ireland Office said he will promote Northern Ireland as a 'fantastic place to invest, work and live', highlighting its unique access to both the UK's internal market and the EU's single market. Speaking ahead of his departure, Mr Benn, said: 'The United Kingdom's relationship with the United States is one of the most enduring, historic and important partnerships in the world. 'I look forward to talking to US counterparts and discussing ways to further strengthen our already close ties in trade, security and beyond, furthering the UK Government's plan for change and promoting Northern Ireland as a great place to invest and do business.' Earlier this week, Ms Little-Pengelly and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill led an NI Chamber business delegation to North Carolina in the US. However, Ms Little-Pengelly will attend Washington engagements alone after Ms O'Neill and her Sinn Fein party colleagues ruled out visiting the US capital in protest against US President Donald Trump's stance on Gaza.
