An official apology which was to be delivered to the victims of institutional abuse “hangs in the balance” due to the DUP’s withdrawal of the First Minister, the Commissioner for the survivors has said.
Fiona Ryan contacted the Executive Office and the head of the North's civil service on Friday and it is understood she is awaiting further information as to whether any arrangements can be put in place.
In January Paul Givan and Michelle O'Neill - who were then the First and Deputy First Ministers - announced they would deliver a public apology on behalf of the Executive in March.
However the resignation of Mr Givan as part of the DUP's protest against the Northern Ireland protocol - which meant Ms O'Neill also ceased to hold office - has thrown the apology into doubt.
Ms Ryan, who is the North’s Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, said those who had experienced childhood abuse now felt “rage, devastation and betrayal … and underneath those is profound sadness”.
She called on the Northern Executive “to see and understand that the apology to victims and survivors goes beyond politics”.
The Executive has a “duty”, she said, “to deliver the promised apology to victims and survivors of institutional childhood abuse”.
She warned that if the promised public apology does not take place, “it will absolutely cause further trauma to many victims and survivors”.
The DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson told the BBC discussions were underway with other parties to ensure the apology could go ahead.
This could involve the designation of a minister in the Executive who would deliver the apology.
“I want to see those victims getting that apology as quickly as possible,” Mr Donaldson said. “I think they should have the apology a long time ago.”
