Lord Hutton to receive honorary degree from University of Ulster

Former Northern Ireland Lord Chief Justice, Lord Hutton, whose criticism of the BBC in his report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly made headlines around the world last week, is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Ulster at this summer’s graduations.

He will be awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Law (LLD) for services to higher education, in recognition of his role as Visitor to the University.

Lord Hutton was educated at Shrewsbury School - the alma mater of Charles Darwin - and took a first in jurisprudence at Balliol College, Oxford in 1953. The following year he was called to the Northern Ireland Bar and became a QC in 1970. He was appointed a High Court judge in 1979 and became Lord Chief Justice in 1988, a post he held until 1997 when he was appointed a Lord of Appeal.

Meanwhile, two leading Irish actors, Stephen Rea and Fiona Shaw, will also receive honorary degrees from the University. Both will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of their services to the theatre and theatre education.

Belfast-born Mr Rea has received international acclaim for his work, much of it with Neil Jordan, in such films as The Crying Game, Interview with the Vampire, Michael Collins, the Butcher Boy and The End of the Affair.

Cork-born Fiona Shaw is regarded as one of Ireland’s finest character actors. RADA-trained, she joined the National Theatre in 1982 and was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for a time in 1985. Her most controversial role was when she played the lead in Richard the II, a move that stirred up a storm among critics and fans.

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