Shatter accused of interfering with tribunal’s independence

A SENIOR judge probing the murders of two RUC officers has launched a ferocious attack on Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

Judge Peter Smithwick accused the minister of “interfering” with the independence of his tribunal and causing major witnesses to reconsider giving evidence to it.

In a series of terse letters, the judge insisted Mr Shatter’s imposition of a deadline on the probe threatened the entire investigation.