04/03/2004
Murphy announces Child Protection vetting arrangements
Secretary of State, Paul Murphy has announced the start of preparatory work as part of a future review of child protection vetting arrangements that will take place in Northern Ireland once the Bichard Inquiry has reported.
The Bichard Inquiry was instigated by the Home Office following allegations about failure to pass on information about Ian Huntley's previous behaviour to Soham Village College, who employed him as a caretaker. Huntley was later convicted of the murder of two girls at the school - Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
Making the announcement, Mr Murphy said: "Following the tragic deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, it behoves all of us to ensure that the arrangements and procedures which exist to protect children are the very best that they can be.
"In Northern Ireland we intend to conduct a formal review of our own procedures in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children and Young People. Preparations for the review in the relevant departments are already well underway, so that once the Bichard Inquiry has reported in the summer, work can start immediately on examining the Northern Ireland arrangements in detail, drawing on the findings of that report".
The Secretary of State also indicated that more detailed information, including the terms of reference for the review would be published over the coming months.
In Northern Ireland current vetting arrangements fall within remit of a number of departments including the DHSSPS, DE, NIO and PSNI.
The Bichard Inquiry is due to report in May 2004.
(MB)
The Bichard Inquiry was instigated by the Home Office following allegations about failure to pass on information about Ian Huntley's previous behaviour to Soham Village College, who employed him as a caretaker. Huntley was later convicted of the murder of two girls at the school - Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.
Making the announcement, Mr Murphy said: "Following the tragic deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, it behoves all of us to ensure that the arrangements and procedures which exist to protect children are the very best that they can be.
"In Northern Ireland we intend to conduct a formal review of our own procedures in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children and Young People. Preparations for the review in the relevant departments are already well underway, so that once the Bichard Inquiry has reported in the summer, work can start immediately on examining the Northern Ireland arrangements in detail, drawing on the findings of that report".
The Secretary of State also indicated that more detailed information, including the terms of reference for the review would be published over the coming months.
In Northern Ireland current vetting arrangements fall within remit of a number of departments including the DHSSPS, DE, NIO and PSNI.
The Bichard Inquiry is due to report in May 2004.
(MB)
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