§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will authorise legal support for individual members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who have been falsely accused in future action for damages against their false accusers.
§ Mr. MatesNo. It is appropriately the relevant police staff associations who provide legal support for their members at disciplinary hearings and for other relevant matters, or individual officers may make their own arrangements. However, the police authority for Northern Ireland does provide financial assistance to members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who intend issuing defamation proceedings, in accordance with set criteria which also apply to forces in Great Britain.