§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland further to his answer of 30 January 2001,Official Report, column 135W, on David McCombe and Padraig McCracken, what the outcome was of complaints filed against the RUC concerning the arrest of David McCombe and Padraig McCracken in Belfast in December 2000; and if he will ensure that an assessment of the handling of this incident is included in the UK Periodic report under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [29247]
§ Jane KennedyThe Police Ombudsman's Office advises that the investigation of a complaint lodged on behalf of David McCombe and Padraig McCracken against the police has been completed. Following referral of the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who has directed no prosecution, the Police Ombudsman is now considering whether or not disciplinary proceedings should be brought.
The UK Periodic report under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a general report where references to specific cases would not normally be made. Therefore it would be inappropriate to include an assessment of the handling of this case in the report.