BRITISH Supreme Court justices are preparing to consider issues relating to whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)  is sufficiently independent to carry out investigations into historic abuses in the region.

At a remote hearing starting today, seven judges based in London were due to analyse legal argument about proposed investigations into the killing of a woman in 1972 and the treatment of 12 people known as the “hooded men” who were detained in 1971.

Lord Hodge, Lord Lloyd-Jones, Lord Kitchin, Lord Sales, Lord Hamblen, Lord Leggatt and Lord Burrows have been asked to consider issues relating to the shooting of 24-year-old Jean Smyth in Belfast and the detention of the “hooded men” following court hearings in Northern Ireland.

A Supreme Court spokeswoman said judges would consider whether the PSNI’s legacy investigations branch is sufficiently independent to investigate Smyth’s death or other such deaths.

The spokeswoman said an investigation had been planned by the unit but, before it began, Smyth’s sister, Margaret McQuillan, had taken legal action and raised issues relating to independence.

She said judges would also consider whether the PSNI was sufficiently independent to carry out any necessary investigation into the treatment of the “hooded men.”

Judges are due to hear argument from lawyers representing police, Ms McQuillan and Amnesty International.

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, said the “hooded men” case would be hugely significant to torture victims across the world and to the ongoing unresolved issue of legacy of the Troubles.