HET closure concerns

It was revealed this week that as a result of budget cuts, the police will have to end more than 300 temporary agency posts at the end of the year.

The PSNI said the cuts would “effectively mean the closure” of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET), which investigates killings during the Troubles.

DCC Alistair Finlay said it was a difficult but necessary decision. “With cuts of this magnitude, as a police service, our immediate obligations must be towards keeping people safe today,” he explained. “The loss of these posts by the end of the year will effectively mean the closure of HET. The PSNI understands the importance of dealing with the past and that a huge deal of hurt and pain continues for the many people affected by our troubled history.

“If we are to achieve a safe, confident and peaceful society, dealing with the past is an issue that our society must address.

“However, achieving a solution lies well beyond the remit of policing.”

Lisburn Councillor Tim Mitchell commented: “This is devastating news for the families of victims. Families’ expectations have been raised that the cases involving their loved ones would be properly investigated and they are entitled to expect equality of treatment. It is completely unacceptable that their hopes of finding out the truth will be dashed.”

Councillor Alexander Redpath said: “Sinn Fein’s refusal to implement welfare reform is crippling the functions of government. The HET has been effectively shut down, Universities are bracing themselves for staff cuts and the PSNI are laying off temporary staff.

“All of this is because Sinn Fein won’t confront their client vote. We have a choice between making welfare cuts and shutting our government down. A shut down will lead to job cuts and recruitment freezes. I for one won’t condemn hundreds to unemployment.

“Sinn Fein need to get a grip and do what is right for the country as a whole not what is convenient for a section of their voters.”

Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson Tom Elliott MLA added: “In the interests of fairness and equality, the HET should be allowed to complete its work.”