30/06/2011 BBC Newsline

Good evening, this is BBC Newsline, with Donna Traynor and Sarah

Travers. The headlines this Thursday evening.

The Justice Minister asks the Law Society to investigate the

behaviour of a leading Belfast solicitor.

An independent report criticises the Police Ombudsman for weak

leadership. Theo Walcott -- the inquiry into

the Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan murders. The police are accused of

interference. And the tax cuts have lest -- have

left restaurants here feeling the pinch.

And why sport and politics don't mix.

Also on the programme, join me live on a treasure hunt in Enniskillen,

to discover if the Antiques Roadshow has unearthed a fortune.

And as the showers fade, could things be settling down at last?

The Justice Minister has written to the Law Society urging them to

investigate the behaviour of a leading Belfast solicitor, which

has been described as an attempted smear of David Ford. Mr Ford

disclosed the move to the Assembly's Justice Committee after

details emerged of a leaked email said to have been written by

solicitor Kevin Winters. Our political editor, Mark Devenport,

has more. The Justice Department's attempt to

cut the legal aid payments it made two syllabuses and barristers has

caused widespread destruction in the courts. -- to solicitors. One

solicitor was prepared to take on a case at the new low rate but had to

withdraw after he could not secure the services of a barrister. In the

Justice Committee today, a DUP politician read out a leaked email

he claimed had been sent to a Law Society representative. This is the

P r o for the association. He got out an email from Kevin Winters,

saying, Well done on the radio this morning. The language was brilliant.

It says that all, win. There is a series of exchanges between the

solicitor and a Mr Higgins, who I presume is a journalist.

response, David Ford told committee members he had been contacted by

two journalists asking about an alleged friendship between a

solicitor and his wife. It was put to me the suggestion of an alleged

friendship with Mr Bell's wife and that she was possibly a member of

the alliance prepare and decide -- had signed my pay before the

election. I said this was rubbish. -- signed by paper for the election.

Jim Wells claimed that Kevin Winters's firm has received �16.5

million in legal aid in the past few years. Another member described

the matter as a disturbing development, which appeared to be

an attempted smear against either the Justice Minister or the

solicitor, Gary Bell. In response, Kevin Winters said the Garrigill

issue is the subject of a complaint and a counter complaint, and as

such it will be entirely inappropriate for him to comment.

He added that all parties involved should recognise the need for

extreme accuracy on these issues and any erroneous statements would

be the subject of litigation. The Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson

has been subjected to withering criticism by an independent report,

which says his weak leadership has undermined the effectiveness of the

office. The report was ordered by the Justice Minister after a senior

aide to the Ombudsman, Sam Pollock, claimed government officials had

interfered with the work of the office. The report found some

interference but no systemic meddling. It also uncovered toxic

office politics at the highest levels of the organisation. Our

home affairs correspondent, Vincent Kearney, reports.

Sam Pollock is seen here on the right, walking alongside the Police

Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson. His decision to resign and allegations

about how his office does its business led to two separate

inquiries. The former senior civil servant was appointed by David Ford

enabled to investigate some of those allegations. It was said that

senior government officials have meddled in the affairs of governors

of the office and had spread false and malicious allegations about Sam

Pollock when he raised concerns about interference. Appearing

before the Justice Committee at Stormont today, the issue without

land. The outcome of the five-year review and the consequences of the

evaluation will be investigated. However, the report is far from a

clean bill of health. It paints the picture of an office in turmoil,

with a complete breakdown between the relationship between the

ombudsman and its two most senior members of staff, Sam Pollock and

the senior investigations officer. People are either at loggerheads

with each other or have no respect for each other and they expect a

large group of staff of function and deliver a strong service.

says a document was leaked which was damaging to the reputation of

Sam Pollock. It was leaked to the director of investigations, a

colleague Nenad -- a colleague Sam Pollock was in it problems with.

You have stated very clearly that it was meddling and interference by

officials in this office but I don't think you flag d'etat in the

way you should have. The fear is damaged of relationships and morale.

The report says it is a drift towards an ineffective office.

Bennett said, this was damaging to decisive leadership. -- then it

said. Does this not damage relationships with the ombudsman?

disagree with that. This report and jaw evidence has completely and

utterly and totally shredded the credibility of the office ombudsmen.

It has completely destroyed 10 years of work. The Justice Minister,

who ordered the inquiry, had Mr say. I think their bodies need to take

action in a number of areas. Firstly, it shows a short-term

response to government issues, which needs to be sorted out

immediately. In a statement, Al Hutchinson said he welcomed the

findings of the report and that there was no evidence of systemic

interference in the work of his office. But Sam Pollock has said he

does not accept there was no interference in operational issues.

He also said he did not agree that interference was not systemic.

Other potentially more damaging allegations by his Sam Pollock

about a lack of independence between the office and the police

are subject to a separate inquiry. Its findings are expected to be

published in the near future. Next, more accusations of

government interference, this time in the workings of the Smithwick

Tribunal in Dublin, which is looking at the murders of two RUC

officers. In letters to the Republic's Justice Minister, the

tribunal's chairman Judge Peter Smithwick said the politician's

public statements have led to witnesses reconsidering whether to

give evidence. Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob

Buchanan died in an IRA ambush as they returned from a meeting at

Dundalk Garda station in 1989. The tribunal is investigating

allegations that someone in the Gardai colluded in the murders.

Our reporter Jennifer O'Leary has more now on the claims of

interference. Jennifer, what's the background to the correspondence?

In later May, the Irish Justice Minister announced he was imposing

a deadline on the work of the tribunal. An interim report has

been published today and the final report, due for the end of November

this year. That was used to a lot of people, including the chairman

of the tribunal, Peter Smithwick. He wrote a letter, essentially

saying, what are you doing imposing a deadline and giving a green light,

frustrating my work, because they know we are to wrap up, and also it

could have an impact on significant witnesses who may fear they do not

want to come forward. Outside his jurisdiction, witnesses cannot be

compelled to give evidence. He sent his letter to the minister and

there ensued correspondence, where the minister denied he was

interfering in the tribunal and he refused to revoke the government

decision not to impose the deadline and we know the terms of reference

were changed. It is particularly damaging, those accusations, that

the minister has threatened public confidence in the tribunal?

Absolutely. Fianna Fail, who were in power in 2005, they justice

spokesman accused the minister, saying, the minister is undermining

what he described as an expensive but crucial initiative. He said one

of the essential purposes of the report was to expose the

perpetrators. Where is the interim report, you might ask. We expected

to be published later this afternoon. The attention has now

focused on the political fall-out from the Minister Alan Shatter and

the reactions from political parties in Northern Ireland.

A 45-year-old man has been charged over comments posted on a social

networking site about the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr. The 25-year-

old was killed when a bomb exploded under his car in Omagh almost three

months ago. The man, who was arrested in Cookstown, is charged

with distributing material that's threatening or offensive. A

condition of his bail is that he's not allowed to use a computer.

We're heading into the height of the tourist season, but the

industry here says it's about to suffer another blow. From tomorrow,

restaurants, hotels and tourist venues in the Republic can charge a

lower rate of VAT. That'll make it less than half of what is charged

to customers here. BBC Newsline's Will Leitch reports.

Lunch in a Dublin restaurant. From tomorrow, the bill will be

noticeably smaller. It is dropping to 9%. It will have a huge impact

and give people in the domestic market a feel-good factor to see

prices drop. For example, our three-course menu will go down. It

is a visible impact. Anything that can bring tourists into Ireland is

a good thing. The VAT rate in Northern Ireland's restaurants is

20%. With a reason dipping tourist numbers it is no surprise that

restaurant owners here are looking southwards and wishing for a

reduction, too. It gives them a huge advantage and we are very

jealous of what they're getting. We are paying 20%, and that is on a

total turnover. So if I sell you a fish dish at �12, the VAT man gets

to pounds of that straight away. Our profit on that dish will be

about 30 pence. So we are struggling. We need an VAT rate

similar to theirs. -- a VAT rate. Lowering the VAT rate could make

room for lowering prices and bring people through the door, and that

could be the difference between it keeping going and closing down

altogether. The group representing a hotels is worried as well. With

rates in France and Spain at five and 8%, these businesses cannot

compete. Our nearest neighbour has much lower rates and a domestic

competition is trading at 9%, so we are automatically at a disadvantage.

This is BBC Newsline, and still to come on the programme.

Hollywood glamour in Belfast, as this stunning collection goes on

show. And what hidden treasures have been

discovered at the Antiques One in every 91 children here lives

with relatives other than their parents. It is known as kinship

care. The situation often arises out of a traumatic or difficult

situation like death, prison or illness. One grandmother has been

telling me how she intervened when her daughter was mentally unwell to

prevent her grandchildren being taken into care, but now she feels

social services have left her with no support.

There was nobody else to step in to take care of my grandchildren can

stop as any grandmother would do, I went to take care of them, as any

grandmother would do. I had no money whatsoever and every door I

turn to was close to me when I went for help. I did approach social

services at one stage and say if my grandchildren were undernourished

could be out to visit me, and we're at that stage. It is so sad but I

had to screen and shout to get that help. If I had fostered them, but

support would have been there. So, if that lady had officially

fostered her grandchildren she would have had more help. That's a

big issue for a great number of people in a similar situation in

Northern Ireland. With me now is Jacqui Williamson from an

organisation called Kinship Care NI. This subject was raised at a

conference in Belfast today organised by the Community

Foundation for Northern Ireland, raising a topic, Jacqui, not widely

discussed before? Today we spent talking about different issues and

kinship care was one of them. One in 19 children here that within

this kinship care arrangement. We had the opportunity to raise the

issue today public paid. You have personal experience of kinship care.

Tunnels your story. I am a kinship care myself. By that after my knees.

I grew up in the care system in Northern Ireland, but before I went

into care I live - - lived with my grandmother. Now affect care I can

understand the importance of keeping children within their own

families and communities. But you feel there should be more done to

help. There is a Bill going through Parliament that should make things

better? It should do. The the bill is going through the House of

Commons at the moment. We want to see more than that for kinship

carers in Northern Ireland. We want better support, respite support for

people who do this. The thank you. The glamour of Hollywood USA has

come to Belfast. Costumes worn in movies by Elizabeth Taylor and Al

Pacino are on display in the Ulster Museum from tomorrow. And from the

small screen exhibits included Colin Firth's suit worn in that

famous scene in Pride And Prejudice. Our arts correspondent, Maggie

Taggart, gives us a sneak preview. And the Ulster Museum has captured

that movies there it here in this exhibition with a red carpet and

the very first costume that you see is a Hollywood one, worn by

Elizabeth Taylor in 1988. The first part of the exhibition is about

wedding dresses. This one is from pride and prejudice. This was

warned by Meryl Streep. But this one up here, tell me what this one

is from, how Lennon Bonham-Carter or in a Frankenstein? That's right,

it is true the at magnificent dress. Their exact attention to detail is

just stunning. The pride and prejudice wedding dresses here just

as it was warned on-screen. Fans of Lark Rise to candle for concede two

outfits worn in the popular series. So now we have a complete contrast

in the colour. What is this one? This is the dress that Minnie

Driver wore in Phantom of the opera. It has a beautiful colour. You also

have something from the King's speech. Yes, we are amazed and

delighted that we were able to get these costumes. They have not been

seen that the public before so we are lucky to have them. The Queen's

Film Theatre has joined in, too. There are some great films shown

throughout the case - - course of the exhibition. For us it was a

chance to highlight its the popularity of costume drama as a

genre. This outfit is a show- stopper. It is the one worn by

We are off to Enniskillen now where people have been clearing out their

attics in the hope of finding some hidden treasure. That's because the

BBC's Antiques Roadshow is in town at the Castle Coole National Trust

property. Our district journalist Julian Fowler is there for us.

Julian, did you uncover any bits of treasure in your house?

I'll be asking an expert in a moment. The 18th century mansion

here is a magnificent background for the Antiques Roadshow, now in

its 34th series. More than 2,000 people were here today hoping for a

big valuation. The last time the programme was in Enniskillen was 20

years ago when there was one of those classic moments which the

programme has become famous for. The Antiques Roadshow used to visit

sports halls rather than stately homes. In 1990 Frank Mick Fealty

turned up at this painting bought for �2. It had been used as a

dartboard, but it was revealed to be rare and valuable. He is

collected and this is a very good one. I would say it is probably

worth between �10,000 and �15,000. Who through the dark?! Today the

show return to for Mamma looking for more exciting discoveries.

always have there is going to be some amazing what it for up pounds

and it is worth �10,000 moment! There is always something pretty

spectacular that comes along. queues formed early this morning

with people of thing but an old family heirloom could be worth a

fortune. We have brought to pictures and we were thinking they

might be worth quite a lot. Are you hoping it is? Yes. Just curious,

really. I like to know what things are worth. For some it is finding

out the history of an object in a little about, but for the millions

of viewers to tune in each Sunday night it is the agony and ecstasy

of the moment when the expert reveals what it is worth. He'd just

said it was made of alabaster. If it had been made of marble it would

be worth an awful lot more. Did you find your fortune? I will be going

back to work and so temper! course, there is always the

sentimental value if there is no monetary value. Eric, any big

discoveries? We have had a good time today. I have no idea what my

colleagues are doing. I think I saw most of the 2000 people. A lady

came in with the collection of compacts and I'm told by my

colleague that those 500 compacts were worth the best part of a

hundred �1,000! Jewellery, they have done well today. We had a

diamond brooch that was valued at around �12,000. Silver, not so via

a silver. Ian Pickford has had a great day. We had some church

silver from James the second, �70,000 to �80,000. Very briefly,

is that worth anything? It is a lovely piece of jewellery which

dates from 1900. 9 carat gold. Not a huge amount of money come about

�100. It does go to show that antique jewellery can be affordable.

Thank you very much for joining us. Looks like it will be spending my

fortune on my summer holiday just yet.

The US Open champion Rory McIlroy has been giving some golfing tips

to two formidable players - in the political arena! He was a guest

this morning of the First and Deputy First Ministers and, as Dan

Stanton reports, they have a lot to learn - when it comes to golf, of

course! It has been a whirlwind of

engagements for golf's man of the moment. Today it was meeting that

ministers and the PhotoShop - - photo-shoot at Stormont. Then it

was time for some practice for our top politicians. Let's see your

grip. That snot grape! What Is Your Handicap Mr Robinson? The golf club.

It all went quiet when people prepare for the all-important shot

from Martin McGuinness. The staff enjoyed the moment. How

does it feel to be at Stormont, Rory? Great. It is no first-time

here. So, another highlight for Rory McIlroy, who is still enjoying

his time off before the next big competition.

Fergal Gregory, 12-year-old swimmer from Crossmaglen, has won and gold

medal at the Special Olympics. Earlier Martin who'd won silver in

the shot put competition. That brings the total metal - - medal

tally for Northern Ireland up to 36! Well done to Angie Phillips. I

won't tell me what age she is today, It looks like the weather is going

to settle down a little bit. Not huge amount of sunshine, but not a

lot of rain, I do. There were a few showers this morning, drifting

their way eastwards. For many a bus the evening will be the best part

of the day. Through the night the cloud will start to close him once

again and we could see some mist and hill fog, particularly in the

north-west. For most of us it will Into tomorrow, it does look like we

will hold on to a lot of cloud, probably more so than today. They

could be a few spots of drizzle, but that will fade away and leaving

us with dry weather. It will not be a bad day on the north coast. The

best chance of a few Brits in the cloud will be in the north coast

and parts of County Antrim in County Down. The winds are light.

If you suffer from hay fever, the pollen levels are rising. Heading