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Former Police Ombudsman appointed despite security service concerns, claims DUP leader

Brendan HughesBBC News NI
News imageLiam McBurney/PA Wire Marie Anderson outside her office in Belfast. She has one hand resting over the other and has a ring on both hands. She's wearing a silver watch and peral earrings and a black and white dress. The sign in the background says new cathedral building, police ombudsman. Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Marie Anderson retired from her role as Police Ombudsman in December

The former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland was appointed "despite security service concerns", the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has claimed.

Gavin Robinson made the allegation in the Commons about the former Conservative government's appointment in 2019 of Marie Anderson.

It came as MPs questioned the prime minister over the security vetting controversy surrounding former US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Sir Keir Starmer told the DUP leader he would ensure a review of the vetting process "covers all the relevant issues".

BBC News NI has also attempted to contact Anderson. She has indicated she will not be making any comment.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: "We are looking into our records and will respond as soon as possible."

News imageLiam McBurney/PA Wire Gavin Robinson wears glasses. He has a black suit on with a purple shirt and a tie. The background is blurred. Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Robinson asked the prime minister to include Anderson's appointment in a review of vetting processes

Anderson retired from her role as Police Ombudsman in December.

Much of her tenure was overshadowed by a two-year police investigation related to a domestic incident at her home that resulted in no prosecutions.

Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Robinson said it was "incredible to learn that in Northern Ireland, a political appointment was made following the refusal to clear an individual for security access".

He told MPs they "continued in their post, engaged on issues connected with the legacy of our troubled past with full security clearance, despite security service concerns".

Robinson asked the prime minister to include Anderson's appointment in a review of vetting processes.

"Will he ensure it includes within its terms of reference or separately, a deep dive into the appointment of Marie Anderson, the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, why she was appointed, why the security information was ignored, and how this can be the case?"

In response, Sir Keir said: "I will ensure the review covers all the relevant issues and material and I'll take into account what he's just said."

Anderson was appointed in 2019 by the then Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley.

The appointment was made during a period when Stormont's devolved power-sharing institutions had collapsed.

A police investigation was launched in 2023 involving a domestic incident at Anderson's home in Holywood, County Down.

In October last year, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) confirmed no charges were being brought over the case.

The ombudsman had been reported for the potential offences of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office.

The PPS said there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence".

Anderson had earlier last year announced she was taking a "temporary leave of absence", saying that "commentary" was "detracting" from the job.