Broad welcome for new ombudsman

Al Hutchinson is to take over as police ombudsman

Both unionists and nationalists have welcomed the appointment of Al Hutchinson as Northern Ireland's new police ombudsman.

Mr Hutchinson, 59, who oversaw police reform in Northern Ireland, will succeed Nuala O'Loan later this year.

Ian Paisley jnr, DUP, said it was a fresh start for the ombudsman's office.

Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey said Mr Hutchinson must show similar courage to Mrs O'Loan. Dolores Kelly, SDLP, said she would be a hard act to follow.

"Attempts will be made to limit the statutory obligation of the ombudsman to probe the past, to construct a false consensus around the need to draw a line under the past," she said.

"There is a difference between drawing a line and throwing a blanket over the past. There must be no such limitations on our right to know the truth."

Mr Paisley, a former member of the Policing Board, said Mr Hutchinson was neutral.

"I don't believe that Al Hutchinson could be regarded as a controversial figure," he said.

"He wouldn't be regarded as someone with any kind of political baggage whatsoever, and I think that that affords... the office of ombudsman the luxury of having a fresh start and a non controversial start."