Victims dispute 'near resolution'

The row over a chief victims commissioner which derailed legislation last week is on its way to being resolved, sources have said.

It is understood an amendment has been agreed which would give ministers power to appoint a chief commissioner, if desired, at a later date.

The office of first and deputy first minister has been plagued with problems over the appointment.

It is understood the legislation will be re-tabled on 6 May.

The first and deputy first minister's office is expected to place an amendment with the business office on Thursday, which would give the ministers power to appoint a chief commissioner at any point if they so wished.

Until legislation is passed, the four victims commissioners have no defined legal role.

The bill which provides legal authority for the new Victims' Commission must not become a party political football, Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Giving evidence to a Stormont committee, the junior minister said a number of possible changes to the bill were under active consideration.

He said that covered the possible appointment of a chief commissioner.

It also covers the way the new commission should operate and the rules on applicants to the body.

Unionists have proposed that no-one convicted of a conflict related offence should be allowed to work for the new commission.

On Tuesday, the first and deputy first ministers said they hadagreed to make changes to the bill which will put the Victims' and Survivors' Commission into law.

However, they still have not publicised what the changes will be.

Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness said they are determined the commission is put on a "sound and durable footing".

However, the UUP, SDLP and Alliance called it an abuse of both victims and the assembly, a "shambles and "an absolute horlicks".

The bill is necessary because of the decision earlier this year to appoint four victims' commissioners rather than one.

After months of delay over the appointment of a victims commissioner, Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness both signed up to a compromise which saw the creation of a new four-strong commission.

But, earlier this month, their deal ran into trouble when DUP assembly members backed an Alliance proposal which would create a role for a chief commissioner and introduce a system of majority voting on the commission.