§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Solicitor-General for what reason the Northern Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions dropped charges against Mr. Bernard Griffin. [123561]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland issued a direction of no prosecution in relation to charges brought against Mr. Griffin and his brother Mr. Kenneth Griffin because it was concluded that notwithstanding the provisions of section 13 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 there was insufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of conviction of either person for those offences.
The Department wrote to the solicitors acting for Mr. Griffin and his brother giving the reasons for the decision in general terms on 19 January 2000. Following a request for detailed reasons, the Department provided further information explaining the decision on 12 May 2000.