Belfast Telegraph
FOYLE MP Mark Durkan has said the announcement that Lord Carlile is to step down as terror law watchdog will not affect his probe into the murder of a Londonderry man earlier this year.
Lord Carlile, the Liberal Democrat peer, who is a barrister, is to examine allegations by the family of Kieran Doherty that MI5 was involved in his death.
The 31-year-old was a member of the Real IRA and was murdered by the organisation in February. Doherty was found shot dead on a remote laneway outside Derry overlooking the River Foyle.
Lord Carlile met the Doherty family in Derry earlier this month, when he assured them that he would uncover the truth behind the murder.
However, it was announced yesterday that the peer was to step down as the Government's independent adviser on the activities of the security services.
Mr Durkan said he had spoken to Lord Carlile earlier.
The SDLP MP said: "This announcement is in respect of the role that Alex Carlile had as the independent reviewer of terrorism laws in the UK.
"It is not in that capacity that Lord Carlile undertook his recent visit to Derry and his meeting with relatives of Kieran Doherty.
"He has a separate role reviewing national security arrangements in Northern Ireland," added Durkan.
"I understand from talking to Lord Carlile today that that separate role is not affected by this announcement, which was known to be coming, having been signalled publicly and in Parliament some time ago."
Lord Carlile's most high-profile role was his successful defence of Princess Diana's butler, Paul Burrell, against charges that Burrell had stolen some of her estate's belongings.
Previous Article
Post a Comment