Judges would 'fight interference'

Mr Justice Kerr keeps a low public profile

Northern Ireland's top judge has said he would resist any political attempt to interfere with the judiciary.

Sir Brian Kerr was giving evidence to a committee examining the proposed devolution of policing and justice.

He said that he had no reason to believe there would be any political interference with the judiciary.

"I should say that if it were attempted I - as the head of the judiciary - would conceive it as my duty to resist it firmly," he said.

The government wants a devolved system to be similar to that in England and Wales, where the judiciary and the courts service act as an agency of the Ministry of Justice.

Sir Brian said he wants the courts service to be managed by an independent board.

He said that a Stormont department of justice would be represented on the board and that the body would report to a justice minister, but would have operational independence.

Sinn Fein wants policing devolved by next May but the DUP insists that would be too soon, in what is one of the assembly's most contentious issues.

As part of its work, the assembly and Executive Review Committee has to report by next February on preparations for devolving policing and justice responsibilities.

Sir Brian appeared before the committee, which is chaired by DUP MLA Jeffrey Donaldson.

'Triple lock'

Speaking in a personal capacity, Mr Donaldson said his party had a veto over the devolution of policing and justice.

"We have secured a triple lock - the first minister has to approve devolution, then it has to get approved by the Assembly on a cross-community vote, and then by Parliament."

However, the committee's deputy chairman, Raymond McCartney of Sinn Fein, said the transfer of policing and justice powers was a "natural progression" following the restoration of devolution last May.

"None of the criminal justice agencies see any reason why it shouldn't be as soon as possible," he said.