Assembly backs victims' bill plan

In January, details of NI's victims' commissioners were revealed

The Assembly has voted in favour of giving the first and deputy first ministers the option to appoint a Chief Victims' Commissioner in the future.

The compromise backed by the DUP and Sinn Fein, followed a series of delays to the Victims' Bill required to give the new commission legal authority.

The bill has been withdrawn at the last moment on two previous occasions.

The DUP and Sinn Fein disagreed over an Alliance idea for a chief commissioner to lead the four-strong body.

Eventually assembly members voted by 49 votes to 30 to back a compromise which gives the first and deputy first ministers power to appoint a chief commissioner in the future.

MLAs also backed a proposal which will only allow the commission to employ someone with a criminal conviction if the first and deputy first ministers give their prior approval.

That amendment came in response to an Ulster Unionist proposal which would have stopped the appointment of anyone convicted in relation to a conflict related incident.

In January, details of Northern Ireland's victims' commissioners were revealed.

The four commissioners include broadcaster Mike Nesbitt and ex-interim victims' commissioner Bertha McDougall whose RUC Reservist husband was murdered by the republican INLA.

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.

All four posts are full-time and receive the full advertised salary of £65,000.

The post is intended to promote the interests of victims of the Troubles.