By Ben Kerrigan-
An investigation has been ordered after it emerged there were “missing” notes from a key meeting of the Stormont Executive.
The handwritten notes related to a meeting of the Executive on July 2 2020, which was the first meeting of ministers after the funeral of senior Republican Bobby Storey.
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The UK Covid-19 Inquiry had previously been told that handwritten notes of the meeting on July 2 2020 had not been located.
These notes, believed to be missing, were related to a pivotal meeting on July 2, 2020, the first gathering of ministers after the controversial funeral of senior republican Bobby Storey.
The funeral, attended by Sinn Fein ministers including then deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill, ignited a political firestorm due to breaching lockdown restrictions on gatherings.
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The aftermath saw tensions brewing between then first minister Arlene Foster and O’Neill, a dynamic highlighted by Sir David Sterling, former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, during his testimony at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
The revelation of the missing notes came to light during a recent inquiry session when counsel Clair Dobbin KC disclosed that The Executive Office (TEO) had located them.
This discovery followed previous assertions that the notes were not in TEO’s possession, prompting concerns about transparency and accountability.
Ms. Dobbin expressed the inquiry’s dismay at the delayed disclosure, stressing the significance of the July 2 meeting amid the pandemic response. Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Hallett echoed these concerns, signaling potential further investigation into the matter.
During subsequent inquiry proceedings, Jayne Brady, current head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, addressed the issue, acknowledging broader concerns about disclosure practices within the Executive Office.
Brady’s comments underscored the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the missing notes and the wiping of ministers’ devices.
The wiping of ministerial devices, discovered during Brady’s tenure, raised additional questions about data management and compliance with legal obligations.
Brady highlighted a concerning “disconnect” within departments regarding the level of information deemed necessary for disclosure, emphasizing the need for clarity and adherence to legal guidance.
Baroness Hallett pressed further, questioning the lack of safeguards in place to ensure data preservation before device wiping.
Brady’s response indicated a systemic failure to prioritize data retention, underscoring the urgency of addressing governance gaps within the Executive Office.
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