Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Justice, following the judgement in the case on the death of Sean Brown, for her assessment of the coroner’s call for a public inquiry. [Priority Written]
Minister of Justice: The Coroner, Mr Justice Kinney, has decided that the inquest cannot proceed due to the Public Interest Immunity (PII) issues involved. He has stated his intention to write to the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, asking the Government to establish a public inquiry into Sean Brown’s death. Mr Justice Kinney has stated that he expects a reply to his request within four weeks.
I deeply regret the further pain and anguish caused to Sean’s family, in waiting for justice for such a long time, and having embarked on the inquest process, only to discover that it cannot be completed.
While it is for the UK Government to decide how to respond to the call for a public enquiry, I fully support the Brown family in their desire to find out the truth about what happened to Sean.
ENDS
Your MLA 