Hain could face charge of trying to pervert the course of justice

20/11/2006 - 12:56:06
In the North, a High Court judge has opened the possibility of the Northern Secretary Peter Hain being charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He was speaking at the latest hearing into Mr Hain's improper appointment of a victims commissioner.

Brenda Downes won the case against Mr Hain's appointment.

Brenda Downes, whose husband, Sean, was killed by a police plastic bullet, argued that Mr. Hain had acted improperly in consulting only the DUP before appointing Bertha McDougal, whose police officer husband was shot dead by the INLA.

The judge found in her favour and added that senior civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office had supplied incorrect information to the court.

He ordered an immediate inquiry into what he said was a very serious attempt to mislead the court.

Mr Hain's response is that he is considering the judgement but defends his position.