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The climate crisis is no longer a looming threat – it’s here and it’s happening now, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said.

Mr Blair was speaking in the Assembly chamber, ahead of his attendance at COP26 in Glasgow. A summit to bring together political figures from across the globe to discuss actions to tackle the climate emergency.

“Northern Ireland needs to play its part in relation to these global challenges and we must act – not because it’s convenient, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s our only option,” he said.

As world leaders gather and begin those negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow, it is important that we remember the solutions to the climate crisis are in front of us and the answer is clear – a Green New Deal.”

It is imperative the work of the Police Ombudsman remains independent and free from political interference, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.

The Alliance Policing Board member was speaking during an Assembly debate criticising the Ombudsman and calling for a full inspection of the organisation. Alliance MLAs voted against the DUP motion, with Mr Blair saying many bodies currently existed to scrutinise and monitor the work of the Ombudsman.

“I welcome the recognition from the DUP there is a need for an effective, efficient and independent structure for dealing with complaints against police officers,” said the South Antrim representative.

“In the past 20 years, we have seen new policing and new policing structures, following a difficult and dark time for it and the wider public. However, where there are concerns or frustrations in relation to police actions, officers need to believe complaints against them will be treated fairly and impartially, while the community requires confidence accountability mechanisms are robust and able to deal with concerns.

“The last survey on police satisfaction with the Ombudsman found 91 per cent felt they were treated with respect and 79 per cent thought they were treated fairly. For complainants, that was 73 per cent and 57 per cent. Meanwhile, among the general public, 83 per cent believe the office helps ensure police here do a good job.

“The Ombudsman is therefore meeting the expectations of the wider public. While today’s motion referenced recent court judgements touching upon methods and standards of investigative practice, criticisms which are being addressed.

“There are already bodies with scrutiny, monitoring and reporting duties in relation to the work of the Ombudsman, including the Criminal Justice Inspectorate in Northern Ireland. In addition to the inspection processes in place reporting by the Ombudsman and actions undertaken as a result of previous reports or court outcomes, it is imperative the work of the Ombudsman, like all of the organisations in the policing and justice system, remain independent and free from political interference and influence.”

The PSNI, along with other major institutions, need to outline the measures they are taking to prevent a repeat of the Sarah Everard case occurring here, Alliance Policing Board representative John Blair MLA has said.

Mr Blair was speaking after raising the matter in the Assembly this morning. Metropolitan police officer Wayne Couzens has been jailed for the kidnap, rape and murder of Ms Everard in London. The case has raised questions over trust in the police and criminal justice system, with Met Police in particular being asked regarding its failure to stop him.

“Like so many others, I was horrified and outraged a police officer abused his position of power and authority to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard. There is no doubt this case has had an impact beyond just London,” said Mr Blair.

“Wayne Couzens was previously subject to three separate allegations of indecent exposure and it is unequivocally apparent there have been fundamental failings of the Met Police and the Kent Police to properly investigate those allegations and failure of the vetting system.

“It is entirely unacceptable those who are responsible for enforcing the law and protecting the public to have such reprehensible disregard for their safety. I am pleased the PSNI have started the conversation including stakeholder engagement, which I have been pleased to be involved with. But we need to hear more from the police and others about what measures are in place to ensure we do not have a repeat case here.

“Misogyny is deeply rooted into our institutions. To end it, we need to face up to it – commission research, allocate resources and deploy funding to meet the challenges presented, and establish a society where women are safe.

“One life sentence for one man is not justice for the fear every woman has felt because of the clear failures in those who are meant to protect us all. That will not change until the threat of gender-based violence within our policing structures and elsewhere is removed.”

Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA will submit a petition to the Assembly this week, opposing badger cull proposed by an Executive Department.

Organised by USPCA and Ulster Wildlife, Mr Blair pledged his support and to bring it to the Assembly floor after the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) revealed plans of a badger cull as part of its bovine TB eradication strategy. Over 10,000 people have signed the petition, which will be presented to the Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday).

Mr Blair – Chair of the Assembly’s All-Party Group on Animal Welfare – said: “This petition gives a voice to all those concerned about this plan and I’m delighted to see how many people have come together in a bid to stop it.

“Working with the USPCA, Ulster Wildlife and the Northern Ireland Badger Group has meant we have been able to reach so many more people and make them aware of this concerning move on behalf of the Department.

“I do recognise there is an issue and whilst I am supportive of many of the measures proposed by DAERA to combat the disease, I strongly oppose intensive badger culling, as it would lead to the destruction of protected wildlife on an unprecedented scale, and I expected more engagement between the Department and the wildlife sector.

“With the number of signatures achieved, I now wait to see how the Department will respond, but would encourage the Minister to look at this seriously and provide clarity around his plans. This issue deserves his full attention.

“The Minister now has to come up with another plan and take the time to consider other options on the table – including more ethical alternatives to controlling bovine TB, in both the badger and cattle populations here, such as cattle vaccination and a test–vaccinate–remove strategy.”