Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed publication of the UK Government’s consultation on legacy aspects of the Stormont House Agreement but warned vital aspects of dealing with the past are still to be resolved. Mr Ford was speaking after the Government announced the document, entitled Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland’s Past, will be released […]
David Ford MLA has welcomed the impending publication of an inter-Departmental report which recommends changes in abortion law here. The working group on fatal foetal abnormality, set up before the election in May 2016, will recommend the ‘law be changed to provide for termination of pregnancy where an abnormality is of such a nature as […]
Alliance has raised a number of concerns over paramilitary activity with the body designed to monitor progress on tackling it here. Party Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MLA and former Justice Minister David Ford MLA met the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) today (Tuesday). The IRC was created as part of the Fresh Start Agreement and charts […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed news a review has been launched into how the criminal justice system here deals with serious sexual offence cases. The review, which Mr Ford called for last week in the wake of the recent high-profile rape trial in Belfast, will be led by former judge Sir John Gillen. It […]
Alliance South Antrim MLA David Ford has said he is shocked and saddened after two people died following a light aircraft crash in Co Antrim. The plane came down close to Nutts Corner around 12.20pm today (Thursday), crashing in a field and catching fire. “This is shocking and sad news,” said Mr Ford. “I want […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has written to party leaders asking them to join him in calling for a review of how criminal law operates in light of the recent high-profile rape trial here. Mr Ford said the trial at Belfast Crown Court highlighted a number of issues of concern regarding the application of the law […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed the establishment of a specialist domestic violence court in Derry-Londonderry. The Domestic Violence Perpetrators’ Programme will work with offenders to modify their behaviour, aiming to reduce reoffending and encourage more victims to come forward. Around 30 offenders will take part in the nine-month pilot programme. “The new arrangements for […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has called on the DUP and Sinn Féin to clarify they will record all Departmental meetings in any future Executive, after the Head of the Civil Service said meetings with the parties’ Ministers were not minuted to prevent embarrassment of the parties. David Sterling told the RHI Inquiry the meetings were […]
Alliance MLA David Ford has welcomed a High Court ruling that the former First Minister’s decision to block funding for a plan to deal with legacy inquests was “unlawful and flawed”. Ex-Justice Minister Mr Ford was speaking after a High Court judge said Arlene Foster’s decision, that £150 million allocated as part of the Stormont […]