§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), what is the normal security vetting applied to all personnel appointed to the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast. [HL6202]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:The level of security vetting applied to personnel appointed to the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast varies according to the posts involved. All staff are vetted to CTC (counter terrorist check) level. For those who are allowed access to more sensitive material, further vetting may be required at SC (security check) or DV (developed vetting) level.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), what was the level of security clearance given to Mr Mackessy. [HL6203]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:Mr Mackessy was security cleared to CTC (counter terrorist check) level.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), who expressed concern about Mr Mackessy on one occasion; and to whom. [HL6204]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:Concern was expressed by a member of staff in Castle Buildings to his line manager.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), who investigated the concern expressed about Mr Mackessy. [HL6205]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:It was investigated by the line managers of Mr Mackessy.
123WA
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), what action the Northern Ireland Office's central personnel section took following an investigation into Mr Mackessy by his line management. [HL6206]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:NIO's central personnel section considered the report of the investigation of the concern which had been expressed about Mr Mackessy and concluded that evidence did not exist to support it.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), what further vetting checks were made by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [HL6207]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:The police were asked by NIO to recheck Mr Mackessy's CTC clearance. This further check, completed in November 2001, produced no adverse information.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 October concerning William Mackessy (WA 82–84), whether any inquiries were held by Ministers or officials into Mr Mackessy's performance of duties in the Compensation Agency and at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; and, if not, why. [HL6241]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:No inquiries were held while Mr Mackessy was working in the Compensation Agency or DETI as nothing in his performance caused concern.
Following Mr Mackessy's arrest on 4 October 2002, the Compensation Agency and DETI reviewed the areas where he had worked. Nothing adverse was found.