NIO recruiting for same-sex marriage and abortion post The Northern Ireland Office is recruiting a senior official to deal with two controversial policy areas which under devolution are […]

The Northern Ireland Office is recruiting a senior official to deal with two controversial policy areas which under devolution are not its responsibility – gay marriage and abortion, i can reveal.

An internal civil service advertisement for the post is likely to fuel speculation that the Government is considering its own policy on the issues, even though until now it has remained neutral in both areas, saying that they are a matter for local politicians.

Yesterday new Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley again said that she did not believe that Westminster should “impose” same-sex marriage on the Province over Stormont’s head.

And in a statement last night the NIO insisted that the new role should not be seen as evidence that it is preparing to take responsibility for areas which have until now been devolved.

The NIO is a shrunken department from that which last handed over control of public services in Northern Ireland to local politicians in 2007.

The department now has about 160 staff, something which could have implications for the nature of direct rule if the Government decides that Westminster should re-take control of devolved powers due to the collapse of devolution.

More talks, but an unclear deadline

The news emerges as talks aimed at restoring devolution are due to begin at Stormont today amid widespread gloom as to the prospects of them ending in success.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme yesterday , Mrs Bradley yesterday reiterated that the government does not intend to step in and legislate for same-sex marriage at this point.

She also denied that February 7 will be a deadline for the talks – something which Sinn Féin had said it understood to be the case – saying that she would instead just update the Commons on that date, with the possibility of the talks stretching beyond then.

And Mrs Bradley clarified that she will chair the talks, rather than co-chairing the process with the Irish Government – although she said that she was not ruling anything out.

One of three significant new NIO posts

The advert – which was sent to members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service last month and obtained by this newspaper – says that the NIO is seeking to recruit a ‘Senior Policy Adviser’ for ‘Rights and Equality’.

The advert says: “The post holder will lead on a range of very high profile equality and rights issues within the NIO . This includes driving forward the Government’s approach to issues around equal marriage, abortion and human rights in the context of EU Exit.”

The job is for those at grade seven or deputy principal grades, suggesting that the salary will be up to about £55,000.

The NIO same-sex marriage/abortion role is the most striking because it is a devolved matter. But the legacy role & elections post are also significant, the latter involving legislation on political donation transparency & online registration of voters. This is the full advert: pic.twitter.com/gBzF22YmOq — Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) January 24, 2018 The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

The advert states: “The ongoing political impasse in Northern Ireland, the Government’s Confidence and Supply Agreement with the DUP and the unique position of Northern Ireland in EU Exit discussions mean that the department’s role is now more challenging and under scrutiny than it has been at any point in the recent past.”

The post has been advertised alongside two others, one on “elections policy” and one on “legacy casework”.

‘Prominent’ roles

Referring to all three roles, the advert said that “postholders will lead on some of the department’s key policy priorities in the crucial period ahead on rights and equality and in dealing with the past”.

It added that the roles would “be prominent within the individual teams as well as more broadly within the department, involving frequent contact with senior officials and ministers, as well as key partner departments in Whitehall and across the NICS , including MoD , security partners and the centre.”

The election policy role will involve “leading the development of the Government’s policy on elections and donations policy in NI” with priorities to include “working to deliver legislation to allow for the transparency of political donations in NI”.

Responding to questions from this newspaper, in a statement, the NIO said: The Government is committed to restoring a functioning Executive and Assembly.

“We have no plans to intervene in these areas of devolved competence.

“The Government does, however, receive a significant amount of correspondence on this matter (and indeed other devolved issues) from a range of interested parties, to which we need to respond.

“The job description is purely illustrative of the types of sensitive issues that are raised. Recruitment is currently under way.”