Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has expressed disappointment that Jonathan Bell is himself disappointed with Mr Justice Treacy’s ruling in the Judicial Review into the non-provision of independent legal representation at the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry.

At Question Time in the Assembly, Junior Minister Bell told members he was disappointed that Justice Treacy ruled in favour of the victim who brought the case, having been denied legal representation by the abuse Inquiry Chair, Sir Anthony Hart.

Mr Nesbitt makes two points of criticism of Mr Bell:

“In the first instance, it is extraordinary that Mr Bell chooses to criticise a ruling that was squarely in support of victims of abuse. In fact, he went so far as to suggest that funding legal representation could, and I quote, ‘may even jeopardise’ the future of the Inquiry. This is the second time in six months that victims are being unnecessarily traumatised by a DUP Minister threatening the future of an inquiry some victims have been waiting for over many long decades.

“The second issue is that Minister Bell totally ignored the core of my question, namely that to even be considered for legal representation at public expense, a victim has to jump many hurdles, including explaining the nature of the public interest that would be served by an award from public funds.

“This is a Catch 22, because it is exactly to answer complex questions like this that vulnerable victims need legal representation in the first place. It is deeply disappointing that Minister Bell chose to totally ignore this crucial issue and opted instead to further scaremonger rather than support victims.”