Rape centre to take British Govt to court over funds threat

Belfast's Rape Crisis Centre is taking the British government to court in an effort to stop its budget from being cut.

The British authorities in the North told the centre at the end of last week that its £66,000 (€95,000) budget would be cancelled if it did not keep proper financial accounts.

The centre has responded by accusing the UK Department of Health and Social Services of acting unreasonably, unjustifiably and unfairly.

It says its problems go back several years, when, after a dispute with civil servants, the Stormont Assembly had unanimously ruled it should get increased funding

Its lawyers are now preparing to lodge a High Court application for a judicial review before the end of the month.