I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor this and other cases very closely. The individual referred to is a convicted prisoner who was released by the British authorities under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for over three further years. In May 2013 the Supreme Court refused leave to the individual to appeal the decision to revoke his license. A further appeal in relation to the granting of bail has not yet been heard by the Supreme Court and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.
I understand that the Parole Commissioners are due to conduct a second review of this case and the timing of the proceedings is for the Parole Commissioners to determine. The Parole Commissioners’ process is strictly independent and, under Rule 22 of the Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009, information about the Commission’s proceedings cannot be made public. My officials have raised developments in this case with the British side and continue to follow developments closely.
