Latest Fact Checks

Articles

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Elections

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Topics

Could the UUP and SDLP change their designations to prevent the DUP from nominating a deputy First Minister?

28 September 2023

CLAIM: If MLAs from the UUP and SDLP switched their Stormont community designations to ‘Other’, this would remove the DUP’s entitlement to nominate a deputy First Minister.

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ACCURATE

A letter printed in the Irish News on 18 September claimed that the UUP and SDLP could have prevented the DUP from being entitled to

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Law

Do PSNI chief constables have the same average tenure as other top cops in the UK?

27 September 2023

CLAIM: PSNI chief constables tend to stay in post for the same amount of time as the top officers on forces in England and Wales.

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ACCURATE

Following the resignation of Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne, University of Liverpool Professor Jon Tonge claimed on social media that:

Articles

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Health

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Law

Does easier access to abortion and contraception lead to an increase in domestic abuse and sexual violence?

22 September 2023

CLAIM: As abortions and contraceptives become more readily available, rates of domestic abuse and sexual violence go up.

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INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

On 7 June on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme, Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown claimed: “The problem is that we find as abortion

Articles

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Economy

Has Northern Ireland been in fiscal deficit for most – or indeed all – of its existence?

20 September 2023

CLAIM: SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole claimed that, since it came into being a century ago, Northern Ireland has been a net recipient of UK Government funding - either in most years, or in every single year.

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ACCURATE/INACCURATE

During a speech at a New Ireland Commission event on August 23, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said: “Northern Ireland has been in fiscal deficit for

Economy

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Europe

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Peace

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Topics

Is the EU contributing €1 billion to the PEACE PLUS fund for Northern Ireland?

13 September 2023

CLAIM: The Irish News claimed that the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joined EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Belfast to announce €1 billion of EU funding for Northern Ireland.

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INACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

On September 11 2023 The Irish News tweeted:  “Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has joined EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Belfast to announce €1 billion of EU

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Environment

Will nearly 40% of NI properties be at risk from flooding by 2080?

5 September 2023

CLAIM: The Belfast Telegraph claimed that projections from the Department of Infrastructure indicate that 38% of all properties in Northern Ireland will be at risk of flooding by 2080.

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INACCURATE

On 4 September, the Belfast Telegraph published a story under the headline: “Flooding warning: Nearly 40% of properties in NI will be at risk of