The Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, has said he recognises the “disappointment” of families over the delay in securing funding for legacy inquests following a meeting with Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald yesterday.

Ms McDonald was joined by Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill, policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly and victims spokesperson Linda Dillon.

Sir Declan has previously said he is happy to meet any political party seeking to discuss the issue of legacy inquests.

He said: “I recognise the disappointment felt by the families that since we met in February 2016 we have only been able to make very limited progress in dealing with the outstanding legacy inquests.

“The important matter now is to address the issue of resources and ensure we move as quickly as possible to provide a resolution on the remaining cases.”

Ms McDonald added: “Some families have been waiting almost 50 years for the basic right of a proper inquest to be held and the Lord Chief Justice has put forward a plan to clear the backlog.

“The Courts have already ruled that Arlene Foster acted unlawfully in blocking this plan so this blatant denial of truth and justice must now be ended.

“This outrageous foot-dragging is entirely unacceptable. The money to fund the inquests must be released immediately and that is the message we will continue taking directly to the British Government.”