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Troubles murder probe funding row Troubles murder probe funding row
(about 1 hour later)
The Government has been accused of failing to deliver on a pledge to fund an investigative unit re-examining murders from the Troubles.The Government has been accused of failing to deliver on a pledge to fund an investigative unit re-examining murders from the Troubles.
Dave Cox, head of the Historical Enquiries Team, (HET) said last year's funding, worth £4m had to come out of the Chief Constable's policing budget.Dave Cox, head of the Historical Enquiries Team, (HET) said last year's funding, worth £4m had to come out of the Chief Constable's policing budget.
This was despite a Government promise two years ago that it would provide £32m for the work over six years.This was despite a Government promise two years ago that it would provide £32m for the work over six years.
However, an NIO spokesman insisted the police had not lost out on funding.However, an NIO spokesman insisted the police had not lost out on funding.
Mr Cox said that, in any case, the review of 3,268 murders from 1969-1998 would go on, even if it had to be funded from the existing police budget.Mr Cox said that, in any case, the review of 3,268 murders from 1969-1998 would go on, even if it had to be funded from the existing police budget.
Speaking as Northern Ireland Office officials prepared a stock-take of the HET, he said: "We're up for being audited and we're up for justifying what we do because we believe it is a very valuable process.Speaking as Northern Ireland Office officials prepared a stock-take of the HET, he said: "We're up for being audited and we're up for justifying what we do because we believe it is a very valuable process.
"But the message this sends out to families is: 'Are you going to pull the process then? Is it going to stop?'""But the message this sends out to families is: 'Are you going to pull the process then? Is it going to stop?'"
'Budget impact''Budget impact'
Mr Cox said having to divert PSNI funds to this work would have an impact on Sir Hugh Orde's planning.Mr Cox said having to divert PSNI funds to this work would have an impact on Sir Hugh Orde's planning.
In March 2005, the then Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy earmarked more than £24m for the unit and almost £8m for forensic scientists assisting its work.In March 2005, the then Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy earmarked more than £24m for the unit and almost £8m for forensic scientists assisting its work.
A team of 100 investigators have so far worked on 700 cases and completed 262, working closely with the families of those killed.A team of 100 investigators have so far worked on 700 cases and completed 262, working closely with the families of those killed.
However, with former Church of Ireland Primate Lord Eames and ex-Northern Ireland Policing Board vice chairman Denis Bradley heading up a review into how Northern Ireland can best address the past, concerns are mounting among some families that the Government may be preparing to wind down the HET.However, with former Church of Ireland Primate Lord Eames and ex-Northern Ireland Policing Board vice chairman Denis Bradley heading up a review into how Northern Ireland can best address the past, concerns are mounting among some families that the Government may be preparing to wind down the HET.
A Northern Ireland Office spokesman insisted the PSNI had not lost out on any funding, even though the HET money had come out of its budget.A Northern Ireland Office spokesman insisted the PSNI had not lost out on any funding, even though the HET money had come out of its budget.
"The total budget for the entire HET project is £34m,'' he said."The total budget for the entire HET project is £34m,'' he said.
"At the end of the financial year 06/07 the total spend for the project was £9.5m, of which the PSNI spend was £8.13m."At the end of the financial year 06/07 the total spend for the project was £9.5m, of which the PSNI spend was £8.13m.
"During the 06/07 financial year the PSNI spend was £4.18m, which was met from the overall PSNI budget and has been deducted from the £34m allocated to the HET project.'' "During the current financial year the PSNI spend was £4.18m, which was met from the overall PSNI budget and has been deducted from the £34m allocated to the HET project.''