Victims' commissioner Judith Thompson reappointed for 12 months

The secretary of state has reappointed the victims' commissioner Judith Thompson for another 12 months.

Mrs Thompson has faced criticism in recent weeks from politicians and victims' groups.

Some have said she has lost their confidence due to advice she presented to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) about a Troubles pension.

It gave no distinction between victims of terrorist attacks and those who had been hurt while carrying out attacks.

However, the government has said it is clear the pension will not apply to ex-paramilitaries who were injured.

Judith Thompson welcomed her reappointment and said her first priority is to ensure current funding levels are maintained.

She thanked those who had engaged with her and said: "Government needs to progress the work done so far and focus on a future where we start to deal seriously with the past.

Outlining her future priorities she said: "The new strategy for victims and survivors needs to take account of gender inequality issues, including for example the manner in which many widows were dealt with in relation to compensation."

The DUP and Ulster Unionists had said Mrs Thompson should not continue in the role, but the NIO confirmed she has had her term extended by another year.

UUP leader Robin Swann called the reappointment an appalling decision.

He said: "This goes against the wishes that have been aired by victims. They have not been listened to in the past and they are being ignored now.

"This announcement will cause concern that the Northern Ireland Office still isn't listening."

Speaking on Radio Ulster, victims' campaigner Kenny Donaldson criticised the reappointment. He said: "She does not have the trust or confidence of a large swathe of victims or survivors.

"We have a secretary of state who has baulked at the very first big challenge that he had on his desk".

South Belfast MP, the DUP's Emma Little-Pengelly said: "Most victims will feel let down by the decision. Mr Smith should now outline what engagement he had with innocent victims before making this appointment."

NI Secretary of State Julian Smith has the power to appoint the victims' commissioner.

In a statement, his office said it was extending her term in order to provide "immediate continuity", as her contract was due to expire on 1 September 2019.

Upper Bann MLA, the SDLP's Dolores Kelly said that victims groups are much more united than politicians.

She said: "I think it's unfair yet again that victims are being let down over political failure.

"Victims have waited for over 20 years for commitments made in the Good Friday Agreement that have never yet been fulfilled".

The current legislation around victims falls under the Victims and Survivors (NI) Order 2006, which makes no distinction between paramilitaries who were killed or injured and victims.

Under the order, a victim is defined as:

The order has proved controversial, with failed attempts by unionist politicians to change the definition of a victim.

They argue that perpetrators of violence and those injured by their own hand should not be eligible for a pension.

However, other parties at Stormont have previously insisted there should be "no hierarchy of victims".