Northern Ireland Office

Peter Hain said: “I absolutely reject any suggestion that there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the court in relation to the appointment of Bertha McDougall as the Interim Victims Commissioner.

“I would welcome any decision by the Attorney General to hold an inquiry.

“It will receive our full co-operation.

“On the wider issue of the judicial review judgement on public appointments, which have implications beyond this specific case, an appeal is still under consideration.

“The one group of people who must not be forgotten are the victims.

“I make no apology for preparing the ground for a permanent champion for victims who will, for the first time in Northern Ireland’s history, have a voice at the highest level.

“I want to re-iterate that Bertha McDougall has done an excellent job on behalf of victims.”