Michael McMonagle: Review of Access NI checks needed – Jim Gamble

Access NI provides basic, standard and enhanced checks.

Depending on the level of check, different criminal records and cautions are disclosed on a person’s certificate.

An enhanced background check would hold information about any ongoing investigation.

According to Mr Gamble, the BHF recruitment process had decided that an enhanced check was not required for the role McMonagle was applying for.

The charity’s chief executive Fearghal McKinney previously told BBC News NI “the BHF is confident we undertook all necessary statutory and moral duties required throughout this entire process”.

“For you to be subjected to an enhanced check you need to be applying for a role with children and vulnerable adults or in a position of trust,” Mr Gamble told the Good Morning Ulster on Wednesday.

“It’s about how frequently you will be left alone with children and young people, that will determine whether or not you need this check, and this is the hurdle you have to jump.”

Mr Gamble believes anyone that is in a critical role, that is communicating by, for and on behalf of an organisation, representing them, and engaging on their behalf, that role needs to be automatically included for an enhanced check.