§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress there has been in the review of the conviction of Neil Latimer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Patrick MayhewIn my reply of 22 April,Official Report, columns 721–22, I explained the criterion for the exercise of my statutory power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. I pointed out that so far none of the representations received had fulfilled that criterion.
Since then, I have given consideration to the points raised about Mr. Latimer's conviction during an Adjournment debate on 23 February and have requested further material. When I have received and considered it I shall write to all those hon. Members who have made representations to me in recent months about this case.