Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson
Northern Ireland’s Police Ombudsman has said she is taking a “temporary leave of absence with immediate effect”.
Marie Anderson said she had planned to retire in December but said she had taken a decision to take a temporary leave due to “current commentary” that is “detracting from the focus” of her work with bereaved families.
Last week it emerged police investigating an alleged domestic incident at the home of the Ombudsman have sent a file of evidence to the Public Prosecution Service.
The probe, launched after the alleged incident at Ms Anderson’s home in Co Down in September 2023, was carried out by West Midlands Police at the request of the Chief Constable, and has now concluded.
The PPS have confirmed it received a file of evidence last week “reporting one individual for potential offences of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office following a police investigation arising from an incident in Holywood, Co Down”.
In her statement today, Ms Anderson said: “Although I had decided to retire in December this year, which would have allowed me to fulfil my commitments to delivering the outcomes of investigations to a number of bereaved families, it has become increasingly clear that current commentary is detracting from the focus of that work.
“I am extremely grateful to those families who put their trust in me, and it is their interests which are at the heart of my decision today to take a temporary leave of absence with immediate effect.
“In my absence, I am delegating authority to my Chief Executive and senior staff as appropriate. This will ensure the vital work of the office continues, as there is no legal provision for the Office to function without a Police Ombudsman.
“I have every confidence in all my staff and know they will work diligently and am grateful for their support in recent times.”
In her role as ombudsman, Mrs Anderson oversees investigations into police conduct and is responsible for holding officers to account.
The seven year fixed term of office began when she commenced the job back in 2019.