Latest news with #JudgeKerr
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Nama trial: Judge who said Bryson lied in court will take no action
The judge who accused loyalist activist Jamie Bryson of lying under oath in court has decided not to take any action against of Mr Bryson's evidence in a recent four-week trial was deemed untruthful by Judge Gordon a new statement issued from the Lady Chief Justice's Office, a spokesperson said: "Judge Kerr KC has advised 'I do not intend to take or propose any further action in relation to Mr Bryson'."Mr Bryson welcomed the decision and said he had told the truth. The loyalist activist was acquitted on 3 July, along with former Sinn Féin assembly member Daithí McKay, of a charge related to misconduct in public office. Although he was cleared, the judge said Mr Bryson had lied during the trial about the extent of his contacts with Mr McKay during the period under case related to a Stormont committee hearing in September 2015 on the National Asset Management Agency, known as the judge has decided not to propose action against Mr Bryson over his evidence at the trial, that is not necessarily the end of the matter.A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service said: "It is a matter for police to determine whether there is any basis for further investigation."There has been no comment from the Police Service of Northern Ireland since the statement by Judge Bryson has denied lying in court and insisted he told the truth at all part of his evidence that the judge did not believe related to his dealings in 2015 with Mr McKay and his Sinn Féin colleague Thomas O' Bryson told the court he did not realise that when he was sending messages to Mr O'Hara, they were being relayed directly to Mr McKay. The judge did not believe him, and said he "lied on oath".The judge added: "Mr Bryson may have his reasons for lying. "He has lived with this for 10 years, the investigation and charges for five. He has moved on and is seeking a new career."It may be that he felt by distancing himself from Mr McKay it would help him."Throughout his trial, Mr Bryson insisted he did nothing wrong and he maintained all his actions regarding the Stormont committee were political not O'Hara was also acquitted. 'Stirred up by online trolls' In a statement, Mr Bryson said: "I welcome how quickly HHJ Kerr has dealt with this matter, which was a side show stirred up mainly by online trolls. "I maintain that I told the truth and also my respectful disagreement with that one specific comment. "But I thank Judge Kerr for the fair way he has dealt with the trial and how expeditiously he has also put this issue to bed."
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Judge considering action over Jamie Bryson trial 'lie'
The judge in the trial involving loyalist activist Jamie Bryson is considering whether action is required over a "lie" that was told in Judge Gordon Kerr KC acquitted Mr Bryson, he said he believed he had lied in part of his was later rejected by Mr Bryson who insisted he told the truth at all a four-week trial, he was found not guilty on a charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. The case related to a Stormont committee hearing in September 2015 on the National Asset Management Agency, known as have been asked since the conclusion of the Belfast trial as to whether any action might be taken against Mr Bryson.A spokesperson for the Lady Chief Justice's Office said Judge Kerr is "considering whether action is needed in light of his view that Mr Bryson lied to the court".In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "We await the judge's full written ruling and, in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, will consider our next steps."The part of Mr Bryson's evidence that the judge highlighted related to his dealings in 2015 with the then Sinn Féin politician Daithí McKay and party worker Thomas O' Bryson told the court he did not realise that when he was sending messages to Mr O'Hara, they were being relayed directly to Mr McKay. The judge did not believe him, and said he "lied on oath". 'Reaching into my mind' The judge added: "Mr Bryson may have his reasons for lying. He has lived with this for 10 years, the investigation and charges for five. He has moved on and is seeking a new career."It may be that he felt by distancing himself from Mr McKay it would help him."In a statement to BBC News NI, Mr Bryson called the issue a "side-show".He said: "I stand over my evidence as to my state of mind. It was the truth."There is no corroborating evidence either way unless someone is reaching into my mind and rewinding 10 years."Throughout his trial, Mr Bryson insisted he did nothing wrong and all his actions regarding the Stormont committee were political not McKay and Mr O'Hara were also on trial. They too were acquitted.
