RIP Stephen Grimason. Deserving all words of warm tribute. I dealt with him as deft journalist & worked with him in govt. Recalling "core/story" chat & how he saw a public service ethos as golden thread in distinct roles. Witty in banter; weighty on substance. Condolences.

Thoughts with families of Annette McGavigan & Billy McGreanery tonight. In 2013 I'd to force minister to put MoD private written apology to Billy's family on parliamentary record. NB: wider import of serious related facts via Pat Finucane Centre & HET! hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2013-0…

Thoughts with #contaminatedblood survivors & bereaved on "step closer to justice" Infected Blood Inquiry. Full apology & compensation due. Not just on compound NHS failures. Serial systemic dereliction of civil service/political oversight, cynical obfuscation posing as accountability.

#compensation Infected Blood Inquiry. Syndicated deflection & misdirection by govt hinged on abject avoidance of "liability" & false depictions re Irish compensation scheme. EG: first ever HoC #contaminatedblood debate Oct '10. Scare numbers used then/since a fraction of today's sums.

Tommie Gorman RIP. A truly fine journalist who aided our public awareness, understanding & discourse. Read & reported events with acuity & innate empathy. His honest decency, casual manner & assiduous method joined to make him so trusted, valued & appreciated. Condolences...

Sad loss of Nell McCafferty, writer for rights. Real influencer & true disrupter. Charted change in astute care-honed commentary. Also chartered change as empathetic & distinctly emphatic campaigner. Funny, fierce, terse, tender. Her unnerving eye-glint: "Now, tell me this.."

Mary O'Rourke RIP had a casual flair but cared on issues. Wrapped wisdom in whimsy but she worked a task. First met on USI Dáil lobby 40+ years ago. A joy dealing as ministers on South-North gas etc in 2001: "You've opened Charlie up, now I'll butter him up". She gladdened...

Ken Reid RIP. He epitomised journalism as a public service. Always interested & interesting even when he & others had to track boring faltering phases of process. His genuine warmth, natural fairness & true measure meant he was not only trusted & rated by all but appreciated.

📢 'When You Know What They Are Capable Of?' Paramilitary Gendered Coercive Control with The John and Pat Hume Foundation! 📆 Tuesday 3 December 2024 ⏰ 18:30 - 21:00 📍 Ulster University Belfast 🎟️ nihrf.com/events/when-yo… Time to Tackle Paramilitary Gendered Coercive Control #NIHRF

Paddy Hill was hugely impressive. Articulate vehemence against humbu matched by a robust empathy for other victims. I will never forget how he, Gerry Conlon & MOJO comprehensively & colourfully excoriated disingenuous lines by ministers & officials in a Commons meeting.

RIP Uel Adair. Constant champion for NIC ICTU Irish_Congress & Credit Union. Uel was direct influence on detailed work in Assembly & Commons to change law to allow enhanced CU services in NI. Astute & affable with true belief in people power. Plus great horsey stories..

Today we remember John Hume on what would have been his 88th birthday. It is vital to remember, today of all days, that difference is of the essence of humanity, and therefore respect for difference is the first and deepest principle of real peace.

Paddy Cole RIP. True class. Totally professional as the musical showman yet genuinely personable offstage with no hint of ego in a charming mix of craic, warmth & serious interest. Stalwart star at SDLP Dublin events. Big support for Hume, Mallon & better ways through bad days.

Tommy Gallagher RIP. Principled, shrewd, straight. Proud local rep; sure colleague; sage voice in Talks & NIA. As fit to challenge as charm. No poser. Model MLA sharp to question ALL ministers. Strident to get a N-S body HQ to FST. Exuded empathy, respect, patience & passion.

Martin Mansergh RIP. He used a special range of abilities to enable and enhance collective advancement to peace. Serious analysis, empathy & sensitive drafting served with boyish humour & modest honour. An eye for democratic big picture not a personal selfie. Class but no act.