Various investigations/inquiries concerning specific incidents during The Troubles in Northern Ireland have previously been undertaken. These inquiries create huge public interest and come under immense scrutiny from a myriad of different interested parties.
The confidence of victims, their families and of all interested parties in the independence and professionalism of Kenova is of paramount importance. To succeed this investigation will require the support and bravery of victims and witnesses in coming forward to explain what happened during those difficult times.
A further level of scrutiny was added with the introduction of a
Governance Board in 2020.
Victim Focus Group
The principle role of the VFG will be to advise on engaging with families, intermediaries and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) representing the interest of victims, ensuring a consistent high level of service delivery. The VFG is completely independent of the Kenova investigation. Its overriding duty is to victims of crime; their rights, needs and interests. The aim of the VFG is to advise and review how information, support and protection should be provided to victims of crime.
Independent Steering Group
There is no regulatory or statutory basis for the ISG. This is a voluntary group commissioned to provide additional expertise to the Kenova investigations. The purpose of setting up the ISG is to deliver the best possible investigative response.
It should be understood that both groups are separate entities. They both operate at a strategic level.
All strategic investigative documents will be shared with the ISG and VFG as part of a consultation and feedback process. Both groups will independently virtually meet every four months and be provided with fulsome investigative updates and then have the opportunity to challenge decision-making and progress of the investigations.
Neither the VFG or the ISG will be provided with sensitive investigative material and will not be accountable for the Kenova investigations. The accountability for Kenova including all decision-making and associated investigative strands will be the responsibility of Mr Boutcher.
A summary document or minutes of these quarterly ‘holding to account’ processes will be posted in
latest updates.
There is a fine line of achieving an accountability process that provides transparency and reassurance to victims and families against protecting the progress of discreet and covert lines of enquiry to secure operational success. There will not be any release of information which might compromise sensitive activity or lead to the revelation of lines of enquiry or witness testimony that could compromise the success of the investigations.
The overriding purpose of putting together these exceptional groups of people together is to enhance public confidence in Kenova and to assist me in guiding this investigation in such a way as to best achieve a position that will allow the truth of what happened to the victims of these crimes to be fully discovered.
