Letters Patent weren’t used

She said: “Where the RPM was used in this period by the previous Government, it was effected by means of a Royal Warrant.”

She said her Department continues to seek information on the use of the RPM between 1987 and 1997.

She said: “On the basis of the work carried out on this so far, there is no indication that Letters Patent or Letters Close were issued between 1987 and 1997 in relation to the use of the RPM in Northern Ireland.”