Stormont leaders call for answers over vetting of former police ombudsman

Stormont’s leaders have called for urgent answers around the security vetting process involved in the appointment of a former police ombudsman in Northern Ireland.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly urged the Government to provide clarity after DUP leader Gavin Robinson claimed Marie Anderson had been appointed to the role in 2019 “despite security concerns”.

Ms Anderson, who was responsible for investigating complaints against police officers, retired from the role at the end of 2025.

Mr Robinson raised concerns in the House of Commons on Monday as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer answered questions from MPs about the security vetting around Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.

Lord Mandelson was sacked in September last year after revelations about the extent of his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Robinson said it was “incredible to learn that in Northern Ireland a political appointment was made following the refusal to clear an individual for security access”.

The DUP leader said Ms Anderson had engaged in legacy issues in the region “despite Security Service concerns”.

He called for the former ombudsman’s appointment to be examined as part of the broader review into security vetting instigated by the Prime Minister.

The First Minister and deputy First Minister were asked about the issue as they spoke to reporters in Belfast on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein vice president Ms O’Neill highlighted that Ms Anderson’s appointment was made directly by the UK Government as it happened at a time when the Stormont Executive was in a period of collapse.

“So it’s for them to provide clarity in terms of the process that they followed, including the safeguarding elements to all of that,” she said.

“So I think the clarity that’s required needs to come. Because there’s been a lot of speculation. And I don’t think that’s helpful for either the individual involved or for anybody involved in the process.

“So I think the sooner there’s clarity, I think that will be a better place for us to reach, as opposed to feeding speculation whenever people perhaps have half of the truth or perhaps not all of the information.”

She added: “So I think we need to be crystal clear, and I think the public deserve to have the answers that have now been speculated about because of some public commentary. So I think it’s for the Secretary of State (Hilary Benn) to actually provide that clarity, to give people the assurances that they’re looking for.”

DUP Assembly member Ms Little-Pengelly said her party leader had raised “really serious and important issues”.

“We’ve seen this issue rolled out over the last number of days over in Westminster in relation to Peter Mandelson,” she said.

“I think when a whistleblower comes forward with information that this has potentially happened here in relation to a very high-profile and sensitive post – a post where that person will have access to a significant amount of very high-level and secure data – then, of course, that needs to be called out – that has been done by my party leader, Gavin Robinson.

“And we need to get to the truth of this. If there is truth in this allegation, then that then needs to come forward. We need to investigate and it needs to be investigated fully.

“I think my party leader was asking for this issue to be included in terms of this review about how this security vetting works.

“I have to say, I think it would be absolutely preposterous to suggest that we shouldn’t have that kind of high-level vetting for these secure posts in Northern Ireland because of some kind of political or other agenda. Of course we need that.

“That vetting is there to ensure that those people with access to very high-level and secure information have the appropriate clearances, that they are appropriate people with integrity in order to access that.

“So yes, we do need to get answers. We need to get those urgently. Of course, this was a direct rule appointment at the time that none of us were involved in that. But we do need those answers, and we need them urgently.”

Responding to Mr Robinson’s call on Monday, Sir Keir said: “I will ensure the review covers all the relevant issues and material and I will take into account what he has just said.”

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “Marie Anderson was appointed in 2019 by the then secretary of state.

“We are looking into our records and will respond as soon as possible.

“The Prime Minister has also confirmed this matter will be included as part of the Fulford review.”

The office of the Police Ombudsman has been approached for comment.