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Following the passing of a motion by the Northern Ireland Assembly calling for a statutory duty of candour, Commissioner Designate for Victims of Crime Geraldine Hanna said:
“I welcome the motion passed yesterday by the NI Assembly calling for the introduction of a statutory duty of candour on the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland.
“To be effective any legislation that is brought forward on this issue should place a statutory duty of candour on all public bodies and individuals working in those bodies.
“It should also include the provision of publicly funded legal representation for families at inquests where public authorities are represented, to make sure individuals are able to access justice.
“Following the General Election earlier this year I wrote to each of Northern Ireland’s MP’s asking them to support the government’s plan for a ‘Hillsborough Law’ which would place the duty of candour on all public bodies.
“I support the call in this motion for our Department of Health to work closely with the Westminster government to see how this legislation could strengthen candour in this jurisdiction.
“Placing a statutory duty of candour on our public bodies would be an important step in strengthening confidence and addressing concerns that have been highlighted to my office by victims of crime.”