Judge who said Bryson lied in court will take no action

The judge who accused loyalist activist Jamie Bryson of lying under oath in court has decided not to take any action against him.

Part of Mr Bryson's evidence in a recent four-week trial was deemed untruthful by Judge Gordon Kerr.

In a new statement issued from the Lady Chief Justice's Office, a spokesperson said: "Judge Kerr KC has advised 'I do not intend to take or propose any further action in relation to Mr Bryson'."

Mr Bryson welcomed the decision and said he had told the truth.

The loyalist activist was acquitted on 3 July, along with former Sinn Féin assembly member Daithí McKay, of a charge related to misconduct in public office.

Although he was cleared, the judge said Mr Bryson had lied during the trial about the extent of his contacts with Mr McKay during the period under review.

The case related to a Stormont committee hearing in September 2015 on the National Asset Management Agency, known as Nama.

Although the judge has decided not to propose action against Mr Bryson over his evidence at the trial, that is not necessarily the end of the matter.

A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service said: "It is a matter for police to determine whether there is any basis for further investigation."

There has been no comment from the Police Service of Northern Ireland since the statement by Judge Kerr.

Mr Bryson has denied lying in court and insisted he told the truth at all times.

The part of his evidence that the judge did not believe related to his dealings in 2015 with Mr McKay and his Sinn Féin colleague Thomas O'Hara.

Mr Bryson told the court he did not realise that when he was sending messages to Mr O'Hara, they were being relayed directly to Mr McKay.

The judge did not believe him, and said he "lied on oath".

The judge added: "Mr Bryson may have his reasons for lying.

"He has lived with this for 10 years, the investigation and charges for five. He has moved on and is seeking a new career.

"It may be that he felt by distancing himself from Mr McKay it would help him."

Throughout his trial, Mr Bryson insisted he did nothing wrong and he maintained all his actions regarding the Stormont committee were political not criminal.

Mr O'Hara was also acquitted.

In a statement, Mr Bryson said: "I welcome how quickly HHJ Kerr has dealt with this matter, which was a side show stirred up mainly by online trolls.

"I maintain that I told the truth and also my respectful disagreement with that one specific comment.

"But I thank Judge Kerr for the fair way he has dealt with the trial and how expeditiously he has also put this issue to bed."