Police ombudsman steps aside after 'detracting commentary'

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has said she is taking a leave of absence with immediate effect due to what she has called commentary "detracting" from her work.

Unionist parties had called on her to step aside after a file was sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident at her home.

Ms Anderson said she had made her decision because it had become "increasingly clear that current commentary is detracting from the focus of that work".

The investigation was carried out by West Midlands Police at the request of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

It followed an alleged incident at Mrs Anderson's County Down home in September 2023.

At the time, she faced calls from unionist parties to temporarily step aside, but she remained in post.

Following last week's decision to send a file to the PPS, the DUP, UUP and TUV reiterated their call for Ms Anderson to step aside.

On Tuesday, her office confirmed she is taking a temporary leave of absence with "immediate effect".

"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 said that in her absence authority has been delegated to her chief executive and other senior staff.

"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."

A PPS spokeswoman said it had received an investigation file reporting one individual for potential offences of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office, following the police investigation.

"All the available evidence in the investigation file will be carefully considered by a senior public prosecutor and the test for prosecution applied," she added.

"A decision will issue in due course.

"All PPS decision-making is independent, impartial and in line with the code for prosecutors."

As ombudsman, Mrs Anderson's office oversees investigations into police conduct.

She took up the position in 2019 and the fixed term of office is for seven years.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: "Public confidence in the role of the office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is crucial and I acknowledge Marie Anderson's decision to delegate her powers of office to the chief executive and senior staff.

"This is a complex and sensitive situation, and we should not seek to pre-empt the ultimate outcome of the process.

"It is now important that due process is allowed to run its course, free from further public speculation."

DUP assembly member Trevor Clarke said the announcement by Ms Anderson was "a fluff in terms of stepping aside".

He added: "This is the best of both worlds for her but not in terms of the ombudsman and not for confidence in her office.

"To temporarily step aside to get her through to her expected retirement date, I think that calls into question the integrity of the office that she has been holding for so long."