Government to challenge Sean Brown public inquiry ruling

The UK Government has moved to secure the option of challenging a court ruling that found it was acting unlawfully in failing to order a public inquiry into the killing of a Gaelic Games official in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has sought leave for a Supreme Court appeal over the Sean Brown case.

Mr Benn has not confirmed he will ultimately take the case to the Supreme Court, but has applied for "protective leave" to appeal to the UK's highest court if he believes that course of action to be "necessary".

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill's described the move as 'cruel and inhumane'.

""At the Court of Appeal, Lady Chief Justice Keegan was unequivocal in her remarks, saying that 'the decision to refuse a public inquiry cannot stand and is unlawful and in breach of Article 2 obligations'.

“It is an affront to the basic principles of truth and justice that Keir Starmer’s government is threatening to once again drag Bridie Brown and her family back to court.

“As Bridie Brown previously said, five High Court judges have instructed the British government to do the right thing, yet it seems hellbent on denying her family a public inquiry.

“This cruel and inhumane act is just the latest example of British government political cynicism — blocking the right of families to access truth and justice.

“This will only add further insult to the Brown family who, unlike the British government, have led with courage and dignity in their fight for answers into Sean Brown’s murder.

"These cruel actions undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

"This once again demonstrates the British government's intent to deny families access to truth and justice, while attempting to force them into engaging with the discredited ICRIR.

“I will stand with the Brown family every step of the way as they rightly continue to demand a public inquiry.”

The deadline for making such an application is later this week.

Mr Benn has also applied to the Court of Appeal for further time to consider its judgment in the Brown case. He has indicated the outcome of that application, and what transpires during any extension, if one is granted, will determine his decision making in respect of a Supreme Court challenge.

Mr Brown, 61, the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Co Londonderry, was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered by loyalist paramilitaries as he locked the gates of the club in May 1997. No-one has ever been convicted of his killing.

At the start of April, three judges at the Court of Appeal in Belfast said the Government's failure to order a public inquiry into the murder "cannot stand" and gave Mr Benn four weeks to "reflect upon the judgment".

Mr Benn has now asked the judges for more time to consider their ruling.