HC Deb 11 November 1996 vol 285 cc67-9W
Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the investigation by the chairman of the Police Authority into allegations relating to the conduct of Mr. Trevor Wilson in July. [1990]

Sir John Wheeler

I am content with the manner in which the chairman of the Police Authority dealt with this matter.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the members of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland who decided that Mr. Trevor Wilson's conduct during July required no further action. [1991]

Sir John Wheeler

I am advised by the Police Authority that 12 members, including the chairman and vice-chairman, were present at the special authority meeting held on 30 July. Those attending were Mr. P. J. Armstrong, Professor H. Wallace, Mr. R. Empey, Mr. B. R. Johnston, Mr. T. A. Kerrigan, Mr. W. R. Martin, Mr. S. J. McCammick, Mrs. R. A. McCormick, Mr. J. O. McDonald, Mr. R. A. J. Spence, Mr. T. J. Wilson and one other member who did not wish to be named.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the report of the police investigation into the activities of Mr. Trevor Wilson in July was made available to the Police Authority. [1992]

Sir John Wheeler

I am advised by the Police Authority that the report of the police investigation into Mr. Wilson's involvement in events in Cookstown on 9 and 10 July 1996 was not made available to the Police Authority.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the statement of the Police Authority of 31 July 1995, if he will make a statement on the advice received by the authority that no criminal proceedings were to be taken against Mr. Trevor Wilson. [1993]

Sir John Wheeler

I do not intend to make a statement as the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, having heard from Mr. Wilson on the matter, regards the matter as being closed.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions or inquiries were undertaken by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland to establish the truth of allegations about the conduct of Mr. Trevor Wilson in July. [1994]

Sir John Wheeler

Following references in the press to the alleged conduct of authority member, Mr. Trevor Wilson in the Cookstown area on 9 and 10 July 1996, Mr. Wilson spoke to the chairman of the authority and asked for an opportunity to discuss the matter with his fellow members. Subsequently, the authority chairman wrote to the Chief Constable of the RUC about the matter and was advised that no criminal proceedings were to be taken against Mr. Wilson.

During the special authority meeting held on 30 July 1996, Mr. Wilson gave members of the authority a full explanation of his actions and answered a range of forthright questions put to him. Members accepted Mr. Wilson's account of events and agreed that no further action was necessary.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what explanation of his conduct Mr. Trevor Wilson provided to the special meeting of the Police Authority on 30 July; and what factors underlay the decision of the RUC to investigate his conduct. [1996]

Sir John Wheeler

I am advised by the Police Authority that Mr. Wilson gave his explanation of his conduct to the authority at its meeting on 30 July 1996 on the basis that it would remain confidential.

Mr. Wilson was observed by a police officer in close proximity to, but not part of, a group of people who were blocking a road in the Cookstown area on 9 July 1996.

In pursuit of investigations into this activity, Mr. Wilson was interviewed by police. No evidence was disclosed which warranted any further police action.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will instruct the Police Authority to publish the minutes of the special meeting of 30 July. [1997]

Sir John Wheeler

I have no plans to instruct the Police Authority to publish the minutes of the special meeting of 30 July.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he(a) called for and (b) considered (i) reports of the RUC criminal investigation and (ii) proceedings of the Police Authority on 30 July into the conduct of Mr. Trevor Wilson; and when he consulted the chairman of the Police Authority to discuss the allegations concerning Mr. Trevor Wilson. [1998]

Sir John Wheeler

I had no need to call for the reports specified in the question as I was kept informed of Mr. Wilson's request for a meeting of the authority, the authority's subsequent meeting and its decision that no further action was necessary.