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Hamilton says PSNI 'scapegoat' in legacy investigations

George Hamilton tells policing board of 'real disappointment' about political failure to deal with the past.
George Hamilton tells policing board of 'real disappointment' about political failure to deal with the past. George Hamilton tells policing board of 'real disappointment' about political failure to deal with the past.

Chief Constable George Hamilton has said he will not allow the PSNI to "become the scapegoat for political failure to reach an agreement on this critical issue".

Addressing the Policing Board yesterday the North's most senior police officer said he felt " real disappointment for the PSNI, and indeed for many grieving families" that the recent 'fresh start' political deal failed to reach agreement on the past.

Mr Hamilton said he had 70 staff, including 55 investigators, currently working on cases linked to the Legacy Investigations Branch. This includes investigations into Bloody Sunday, the Military Reaction Force, the ongoing Boston College tapes probe and the On the Runs Review.

"Legacy Investigations Branch was never designed to be a long term solution to our past.

"For many people affected by the past, the perception of independence will only be possible when dealing with the past sits entirely outside the PSNI", he said.

"Our legacy related work is facing almost weekly legal challenge, related predominantly to the speed at which we can conduct this significant volume of work, and the perceived independence of the police service to do it.

"I will not allow my organisation to become the scapegoat for political failure to reach an agreement on this critical issue", he added.

Mr Hamilton also told the policing board that there are currently 60 police officers are dealing with over 1200 child abuse cases in Northern Ireland.