Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has added his voice to concerns on the method used by the European Union's NI executive body, SEUPB to investigate funding for the Markethill based victims' group FAIR.

In a statement Mr Nicholson (pictured) said: "I have been seriously concerned about how FAIR has been treated throughout this prolonged investigation.

"Given that the PSNI and PPS have concluded that there is no case to answer I fail to understand why SEUPB and OFMDFM [the First Ministers Office] continue to call the conduct of FAIR into question in the media.

"The essential work of FAIR for the victims of South Armagh is a matter of public record and there are real questions to answer as to how this group has been treated since mid 2010," he said.

William Frazer from FAIR said on Wednesday: "It is now absolutely clear there is a concerted attempt to link FAIR with [an] ongoing criminal investigation into a Markethill-based group.

"This move is quite obviously politically motivated by those who oppose the very existence of FAIR and its work with the victims of IRA terrorism.

"It also has the specific intention of further demonising FAIR, turning public opinion against the group and forcing it out of existence," he claimed, adding that FAIR has recently been subjected to a series of audits and inspections as a direct result of spurious allegations levelled against the organisation.

"Following a police investigation these allegations have been proven to be completely unfounded.

"FAIR has been given a clean bill of health by the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service. That is a matter of public record and cannot be challenged," he insisted.

"We would make it clear FAIR has never been linked to [the group in question] now or at any time in the past," Mr Frazer said.

Last night, Jim Nicholson backed the beleaguered movement and added: "Given the seriousness of this matter FAIR are entitled to a proper hearing, that includes being able to have any accusations presented to them in writing so that they can provide their side of the story and have an opportunity to contest any allegations.

"What we have had up to this point has amounted to trial by media with months of Chinese whispers and I question why SEUPB has been allowed to do this.

"Throughout this so-called process the people who have really suffered have been the many victims who relied on FAIR for a range of key services and support.

"FAIR has a long record of helping many families who have suffered at the hands or Republican terrorists.

"These people continue to suffer as a result of their experiences, to be left without support and to have their group treated this way over many months is wholly unacceptable," said the UUP MEP.

(BMcC/GK)