The Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has confirmed a complaint was lodged against him with the Local Government Commissioner for Standards, but it was found not to merit investigation.

Although the full detail of the complaint isn’t known, it centred on council discussions around the extradition of Liam Campbell, who was found civilly liable for the Omagh bomb in 1998, which claimed the lives of 29 people including a woman pregnant with twins, and injured 220 others.

After a 12-year legal battle, the High Court in Dublin ordered Campbell’s extradition to Lithuania, where a European Arrest Warrant was issued in 2016.

This states he allegedly organised the smuggling of weapons in support of “terrorist grouping” the Real IRA between 2006 and 2007.

That has currently been postponed for further legal argument.

Extradition

The subject was first raised by Independent Councillor Bernice Swift at a Policy & Resources Committee meeting, who called on the Council to support the campaign to stop Campbell’s extradition to Lithuania, on the basis of its poor human rights record.

While initially supported by many in the chamber, when the matter came before the full Council for ratification, it was voted back to committee for further discussion.

However, it has since been rejected and a subsequent vote taken to halt all further discussion on the topic. This has yet to be ratified at full Council.

In the midst of the situation, Chair Councillor Chris Smyth received notification of a complaint around his handling of the matter.

He said: “I can confirm that I did receive a complaint in relation to my conduct of the Liam Campbell issue.

“While the content is confidential, I strongly denied any and all accusations throughout.

“I have since received correspondence from the Commissioner stating the complaint did not warrant. investigation and, consequently, no further action would be forthcoming.

“I believe that my handling of the events surrounding this issue was robust, but reasonable and proper.

“As an Omagh Town councillor it is incumbent upon me to speak up for my constituents, even though I know that my political opponents would be unhappy.

“I am content that my conduct was subject to scrutiny.

“The victims of the Omagh bomb and their families are exactly the type of people I believe that the council and elected representatives in general should stand squarely behind and give their full support to.

“I believe very strongly in [an] individual’s freedom of expression and that includes the right to criticise any proposals that I disagree with.

“As we move forward, I remain an ardent believer that Liam Campbell should face the Lithuanian authorities and, as a sovereign nation, I consider it only appropriate that the UK and Irish Government should progress this issue as expediently as possible so that the victims of the bomb can avoid being re-traumatised and can avoid unnecessary hurt,” said Councillor Smyth.