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BBC News NI communities correspondent Mark Simpson reported that the judge who accused loyalist activist Jamie Bryson of lying under oath in court has chosen not to take any action against him. Despite part of Mr. Bryson’s evidence being deemed untruthful by Judge Gordon Kerr during a recent four-week trial, no further action is being pursued. A spokesperson from the Lady Chief Justice’s Office released a statement affirming this decision by saying, “Judge Kerr KC has advised ‘I do not intend to take or propose any further action in relation to Mr. Bryson’.” Mr. Bryson expressed his satisfaction with this outcome and reiterated that he told the truth throughout the proceedings.
The loyalist activist, along with former Sinn Féin assembly member Daithí McKay, was acquitted on 3 July of a charge related to misconduct in public office. The trial uncovered that Mr. Bryson had lied about the extent of his contacts with Mr. McKay during the specified period. The case stemmed from a Stormont committee hearing in September 2015 regarding the National Asset Management Agency, also known as Nama. Although the judge has decided against taking action concerning Mr. Bryson’s testimony, the matter may not be entirely resolved as it falls to the police to determine if further investigation is warranted, according to a spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service. There has been no police comment following Judge Kerr’s statement.
Mr. Bryson adamantly denied lying under oath and maintained that he consistently told the truth. The contentious part of his evidence involved his interactions in 2015 with Mr. McKay and Mr. O’Hara, a Sinn Féin colleague. Mr. Bryson claimed he was unaware that messages he sent to Mr. O’Hara were being forwarded to Mr. McKay. However, the judge doubted his account, stating that he had “lied on oath.” Throughout the trial, Mr. Bryson asserted his innocence, emphasizing that his actions regarding the Stormont committee were politically motivated, not criminal. Mr. O’Hara was also acquitted in relation to the case.
In a statement, Mr. Bryson remarked, “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.” The judge’s decision not to pursue action against Mr. Bryson signifies the end of this chapter in the activist’s legal ordeal, allowing him to focus on pursuing a new career path
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