Robert Howard Trial (Review of Legal Issues)

The Solicitor-General (Mr. Mike O'Brien)
My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has made the following written ministerial statement:

“Following Robert Howard's acquittal in 2005 at Belfast Crown Court for the murder of Arlene Arkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Attorney-General, asked the retired Court of Appeal judge, Sir John MacDermott, to carry out an independent review of the decisions reached by the PPS in respect of the Arkinson case and in respect of Howard's sexual attack in 1996 on a 16-year-old girl, Miss X. This exceptional course was considered necessary because of the public concern expressed”.

The Attorney-General has now received a copy of Sir John's report. Copies of the report, together with the Director's response have been placed in the Library. The report and Director's response are also available on the PPS website at www.ppsni.gov.uk.