By James Martin McCarthy
Copyright belfastlive
A charity set up in memory of murdered showjumper Katie Simpson has hit out at a social media comment from UUP MLA Jon Burrows. The Katie Trust , was established this summer to support families and friends who have lost a loved one in circumstances initially classified as suicide, accident, or disappearance, but where concerns and unanswered questions later emerge. In response to a TikTok video posted by the charity founder, retired Detective Sergeant James Brannigan, a former senior investigator with the PSNI , welcoming Caroline Charters to the charity, Mr Burrows responded with three ‘clapping’ emojis before deleting them and replied “please not [sic] comment with three clap sympols was an error – I do not comment on this trust nor endorse it.” Caroline Charters’ daughter, Danielle Charters-Christie, was found dead inside a caravan that she shared with her partner, who had been accused of domestic abuse, in Gloucestershire on 26 February 2021. Her death was initially declared a suicide and her partner was later arrested on suspicion of murder some 13 months later. In a statement, a spokesperson for The Katie Trust said: “The Katie Trust has expressed deep concern following comments made by Ulster Unionist MLA Jon Burrows on a social media post introducing Caroline Charters, a grieving mother who lost her daughter in a hidden homicide and has now joined the Trust to help other families. “At a time when Northern Ireland records one of the highest rates of domestic homicide in Western Europe, the Katie Trust is committed to providing advocacy, guidance, and trauma support for families who have lost loved ones in suspicious circumstances or confirmed murders. Our work includes guiding families through Domestic Homicide Reviews, providing access to trauma specialists, and working with experienced detectives to ensure that families receive the answers and justice they deserve. “For a public representative to undermine a mother who has endured the trauma of losing her child — and who is now bravely stepping forward to support others — is deeply disappointing and disrespectful. Such comments do nothing to advance the urgent work needed to protect families and prevent further tragedies. “The Katie Trust stands firmly behind Caroline Charters and all the families we support. We will continue our mission to provide a voice for those failed by the system and to work constructively with government, law enforcement, and communities to reduce the scourge of domestic homicide and hidden homicides in Northern Ireland .” Speaking to Belfast Live , Mr Burrows said that the charity is interpreting his statement “incorrectly”. “Whoever has issued this statement is interpreting what was a factual statement incorrectly, and I don’t want to make any statement either in favour or against the Katie Simpson Trust,” Mr Burrows said. “My own view is that if people have concerns about a criminal investigation, or a police investigation, they should use the official channels, which are the police service or the ombudsman or if they need support with any of those, then a friend or a representative.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here.
