Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government has had discussion with the Legal Aid Agency on the funding of civil proceedings against John Downey; and if he will make a statement.

Over thirty years later families and friends are still suffering from the horrific consequences of the Hyde Park bombings. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to those affected by this terrorist crime.

All individual case funding decisions are taken by the Legal Aid Agency. Ministers are prevented by law from intervening in this process. It is important that these decisions are, and are seen to be, free from political and Government influence.

This matter is currently ongoing, and as such it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.