Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“As the politician who met with Barra McGrory QC and urged him to bring in an external investigator in regard to the PPS handling of the Mairia Cahill cases, I welcome the publication of the Starmer report.
“This report confirms catastrophic failures in the handling of these prosecutions and in the treatment of the complainants/victims. There were serious failings both by prosecuting counsel and the supposed oversight and accountability to the higher echelons of the PPS. Several key staff in the PPS seem to have been asleep at the wheel, with inadequate control and involvement from those in charge – a situation which was exacerbated by the fact that the DPP himself, of necessity, because of his previous role, could play no part. In consequence Mairia Cahill was badly let down and those that ought to have faced trial walked free.
“Sadly, now, the only comfort for Mairia Cahill is a belated apology.
“The failure to even interview Joe McCullough was an elementary blunder, which to me speaks of a lack of official enthusiasm for the prosecutions. The PSNI role and handling of this issue is not investigated in this report, but still needs explored and explained.
“It is a sad commentary on the prosecution that Mairia Cahill seemed to have had a better grasp of tactics and what needed to be done than the prosecutors themselves, but she was treated, largely, as unimportant. Shame on all who let her down.”