We aim to appoint new Victims Commissioner this year, says Little-Pengelly

There are hopes to appoint a new Victims Commissioner in Northern Ireland later this year, the deputy First Minister has said.

Former Victims Commissioner Ian Jeffers stepped down at the start of January after almost two years in the role.

His successor could not previously be appointed in the absence of a functioning Stormont Executive.

The office includes ensuring that services for victims of Northern Ireland’s troubled past are fit for purpose.

Speaking during Assembly questions for the Executive Office on Monday, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said they hope to be able to appoint the next Victims Commissioner in six months time.

“We are waiting for a submission, it should be up with us in the next number of weeks, to commence that process,” she told MLAs.

“We’re very keen that there is a commissioner for victims as quickly as possible.

“It is a regulated appointment by the Public Appointments Commissioner and therefore there are a number of requirements around that … but we estimate the process will probably take around six months.

“We encourage anybody if you feel that you could do this role and do it well to put your name forward for it

“That process will commence hopefully very shortly, with the aim of getting the commissioner in place as quickly as possible.”