Ulster Unionist Policing spokesperson Ross Hussey has said that answers are still required following today’s Policing Board meeting during which the Chief Constable Matt Baggott answered questions posed by Board members.
The West Tyrone MLA said:
“Today gave the Policing Board the opportunity to quiz the Chief Constable and senior officers in relation to the OTR issue.
“I have to say I was not totally satisfied with the answers that we were given and it is clear many of the issues pre-date the appointment of Matt Baggott as Chief Constable.
“However when policing and justice were devolved to the NI Assembly in 2010 it would appear that the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State retained influence on certain issues.
“I feel strongly that the Policing Board has the right to question senior NIO officials and if necessary the former Secretary of State Peter Hain in relation these issues as to what guidelines and instructions they gave to PSNI.
“The question remains as to why would 187 innocent people seek confirmation they are not being sought? All of them should now be put on notice that they are required to provide DNA samples and a full investigation of their DNA against any crime scenes should be carried out.”