Loopholes stalling victims work

Mike Nesbitt says he lacks the legal status to carry out his work

One of the four appointed victims' commissioners has said legal loopholes are holding them back.

Mike Nesbitt told BBC's Let's Talk programme on Thursday he was advised not to meet victims or their families.

Current legislation is for one commissioner, not a commission, and this means it has no legal status.

However on Friday, the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister said there was no barrier to commissioners meeting victims and survivors.

A statement issued by the ministers' office said work in drafting the legislation to provide for a commission comprising several members rather than a single commissioner was "at an advanced stage".

On Thursday, Mr Nesbitt said it was "frustrating" that he could not get on with the job he was being paid to do.

"I have met victims, I am dealing with a number of victims. I've sent letters on their behalf to hospitals and other bodies and I'm now being cautioned against doing that," said Mr Nesbitt.

"This is because I don't have a legal status, I don't have the insurance, I don't have the legal backing to do that."

The four commissioners include broadcaster Mr Nesbitt and ex-interim victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall.

The others are Patricia MacBride, whose brother was killed by the SAS and whose father died 17 months after being shot by loyalists, and Brendan McAllister of Mediation NI.