Concerns have been raised about the recruitment process to a controversial PSNI unit.
It has emerged that four former temporary workers at the PSNI’s Legacy Support Unit have been given full-time positions in the powerful department.
The unit screens sensitive information before it is passed to coroners investigating Troubles-related incidents.
It is responsible for deciding what information is handed over or if it should be redacted.
The special unit has been criticised in the past over delays in providing information to inquests.
It emerged last year that three key members of the Legacy Support Unit were former members of RUC Special Branch who had previously served with potential police inquest witnesses.
Under budget cutbacks several agency staff were let go last year.
A recruitment process was then launched to fill the vacant positions, resulting in the reappointment of four people who previously worked there.
Human rights group the Committee on the Administration of Justice last night expressed concerns.
Deputy director Daniel Holder said: “When the PSNI decided to end the use of rehired agency workers, it is notable that the Legacy Support Unit was the only part of the PSNI that filled the posts in a manner which allowed the same former agency workers to re-apply and be appointed."
The comments came as the CAJ prepares to co-host a major conference on Monday, ‘Dealing with the Past in Northern Ireland, Implementing the Stormont House Agreement’, at the Ulster University’s York Street campus.
Mr Holder said: “A new set of institutions is now planned to deal with the past under the Stormont House Agreement. If they are to succeed it is essential they are given direct access to official archives.”
Head of PSNI corporate communications Liz Young last night defended recruitment to the LSU.
“The recent recruitment process, undertaken to recruit permanent members of staff to the PSNI Legacy Support Unit, was an open process, run externally, whereby any member of the public with the requisite experience and qualification could apply.”
