Latest Fact Checks

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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
Articles
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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
Articles
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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 ofBrowse by Topic
We have written 160 fact-check reports on public statements since 2016.