Head of North's Rights Commission steps down

The head of Northern Ireland’s Human Rights Commission is resigning for personal reasons, it was revealed.

Professor Michael O’Flaherty was chief commissioner for less than two years but will step down in October.

He is a former member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and an expert on freedom of expression and the prevention of torture. The academic has spearheaded human rights missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sierra Leone.

Since September 2011 he has been an outspoken advocate of a bill of rights. Under his watch the Commission said lack of progress on a proposed bill of rights was a matter of regret and called on the Government to act.

The influential organisation also investigated alleged abuses in nursing homes, including elderly residents being admitted to hospital for dehydration because a home failed to provide enough for them to drink.

Mr O’Flaherty said: “Today with great regret, I informed my colleagues of my resignation, for personal reasons. Northern Ireland has a splendid Human Rights Commission that I have been honoured to serve.

“I have every confidence that it will continue to take forward its excellent work for the people of Northern Ireland.”