Paterson 'May Retain NI Security Laws'

A special piece of anti-terror legislation looks likely to remain in place for another year as the terrorist threat to NI rumbles on.

An official report today related that "the terrorist threat has continued on broadly the same level" while more positively reporting on further "suppression of activity".

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson said: "I have arranged for copies of the Fourth Report of Robert Whalley CB, Independent Reviewer of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 to be laid before Parliament."

In an accompanying statement the NIO boss said: "The report highlights the continuing security threat posed by residual terrorist groups, the activity of organised criminals and incidents of public disorder."

He said that the Reviewer commented on the importance of the powers under the 2007 Act in dealing with this broad range of security related threats.

"It therefore recommends that the powers be retained for a further year," the Secretary of State explained.

Mr Paterson said the report stated that the residual terrorist threat has continued on broadly the same level as 2010, but there have been positive signs of suppression of activity.

He also noted that the number of persons stopped under the 2007 Act has increased significantly but that overall 'stop' activity by the PSNI has fallen by 36% over the last year.

Robert Whalley's document also welcomed the authorisation procedure for the use of stop and search powers which the Government is introducing through the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

He commented on the importance of cross-border co-operation and points to the activity by An Gardaí Siochana, which has led to a number of arrests.

In highlighting aspects of the document, Mr Paterson continued: "The report also reflects on the regrettable public disorder which we saw in Northern Ireland earlier this year and the attacks on the police, and the subsequent operational need for powers under the 2007 Act, such as stop and question and entry of premises, as part of the police response."

The Reviewer also acknowledges the significant reduction in complaints to the Military over the last year.

"The document also provides an assessment of the operation of sections 21 to 32 of the 2007 Act and the procedures adopted by the Brigade Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade for receiving, investigating and responding to complaints," he said.

(BMcC)