Investigation complete after alleged incident at ombudsman's home

An investigation following an alleged domestic incident at the home of Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson has been completed, with a file of evidence sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The investigation was carried out by West Midlands Police at the request of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

It followed an alleged incident at Mrs Anderson's County Down home in September 2023.

At the time, she faced calls from unionist parties to temporarily step aside, but she remained in post.

A PPS spokeswoman said it had received an investigation file reporting one individual for potential offences of perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office following the police investigation.

"All the available evidence in the investigation file will be carefully considered by a senior public prosecutor and the test for prosecution applied," she added.

"A decision will issue in due course.

"All PPS decision-making is independent, impartial and in line with the code for prosecutors."

As ombudsman, Mrs Anderson's office oversees investigations into police conduct.

She took up the position in 2019 and the fixed term of office is for seven years.