§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
To whom the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman is responsible. [HL2944]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)Under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland is a fixed period appointment by Her Majesty. In certain circumstances as detailed in the legislation the ombudsman may be called upon to resign by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The ombudsman's office is operationally independent of the Government in the execution of its functions but provides an annual report to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.