§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was asked by the Secretary of State, for Northern Ireland to investigate the circumstances of the murder of Rosemary Nelson; and, if so, what was its response. [HL4419]
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§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo. It would be inappropriate for my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to ask the Human Rights Commission to investigate Mrs Nelson's murder, as this is the statutory responsibility of the Chief Constable.
There is currently a major criminal investigation being undertaken into Mrs Nelson's murder. This is being led by Deputy Chief Constable Colin Port, and both he and his team continue tirelessly to track down and bring before the courts those responsible for this cowardly murder.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission was invited by the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to investigate the murder of Rosemary Nelson; if so, on what date; and what was the response. [HL4463]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonNo. However, in March 1999 the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary invited the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to assume an advisory role in relation to this investigation and in that capacity to receive regular briefings as to the progress of the inquiry into Mrs Nelson's murder. The Commission did not feel it was appropriate to accept this invitation.