In light of recent media reporting on On The Runs nominals, specifically 33 ‘Priority One’ suspect cases being reviewed and who have already reportedly been questioned, can the Chief Constable advise on the status of these cases and what the financial implications are in relation to undertaking this work?
Members will be aware that I wrote formally to the board on the 11th of June 2020 to advise them of the latest developments with ‘Operation Redfield’, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) ‘On the Runs’ (OTR) review team. My letter outlines the current status of those cases.
As the same small team within Legacy Investigation Branch (LIB) will progress this work, we do not envisage there will be any significant additional costs. It will however form part of our continuing cost pressures arising from our statutory obligations to investigate legacy matters.
In terms of investigations alone, our Legacy costs will be in the region of £13 million pounds this financial year. When we take into account the costs of Legacy litigation, the figure is closer to £25 million pounds.