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Ex-RUC chief urged to quit body Ex-RUC chief urged to quit body
(about 1 hour later)
Former RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan is facing calls to quit the body which promotes police efficiency.Former RUC chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan is facing calls to quit the body which promotes police efficiency.
NI's police ombudsman found officers colluded with loyalists behind over a dozen murders in north Belfast at a time when Sir Ronnie was in charge.NI's police ombudsman found officers colluded with loyalists behind over a dozen murders in north Belfast at a time when Sir Ronnie was in charge.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "Either he was not in control of a dysfunctional organisation, or he knew full well but kept the truth hidden.SDLP leader Mark Durkan said: "Either he was not in control of a dysfunctional organisation, or he knew full well but kept the truth hidden.
"In either event, he should not head up the Inspectorate of Constabulary.""In either event, he should not head up the Inspectorate of Constabulary."
The body reports on and encourages efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The body reports on and encourages efficiency and effectiveness of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Prosecutions On Monday, Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report said UVF members in the area committed murders and other serious crimes while working as informers for Special Branch.
Policing Board chairman Desmond Rea said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland has embarked on the process of change.
"It has dealt with many of these issues, and indeed, that is acknowledged by the ombudsman."
Meanwhile, the family of one of the victims named in the ombudsman's report have said all those involved must be brought to justice.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his death 10 years ago, John Harbinson's daughter Joanna said the family had lost all confidence in the police.
"How can they cover it up, was no-one checking things?" she said.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain has said prosecutions may arise, but would not say if police officers could be among those charged.
"Where possible people will be prosecuted," he said.
"Where the Historical Enquiries Team led by the chief constable and his senior officers uncovers evidence to coroberate the intelligence report which the ombudsman has given, and therefore you can stand a case up in a court of law, there will be prosecutions."
The Policing Board, which holds to account the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the damning report.
CRIMES LINKED TO INFORMANTS The murders of 10 people10 attempted murders10 "punishment" shootings13 "punishment" attacksA bomb attack in Monaghan17 instances of drug dealingAdditional criminality, including criminal damage, extortion and intimidation What is collusion? Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report said UVF members in the area committed murders and other serious crimes while working as informers for Special Branch.
It said two retired Assistant Chief Constables refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity, it said.Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity, it said.
The officers ensured the murderers were not caught and even "baby-sat" them during police interviews to help them avoid incriminating themselves. The report called for a number of murder investigations to be re-opened.
The Special Branch officers "created false notes" and blocked searches for UVF weapons. The ombudsman looked into a number of murders
They also paid almost £80,000 to leading loyalist Mark Haddock, jailed for 10 years last November for an attack on a nightclub doorman.
POLICE COLLUSION REPORT Read the full report [742kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here The report, published on Monday, called for a number of murder investigations to be re-opened.
But it is unlikely that any of the police officers involved will be prosecuted - the ombudsman said that evidence was deliberately destroyed to ensure there could not be prosecutions.But it is unlikely that any of the police officers involved will be prosecuted - the ombudsman said that evidence was deliberately destroyed to ensure there could not be prosecutions.
Mrs O'Loan said Sir Ronnie was interviewed by her office, but was unable to assist the investigation.Mrs O'Loan said Sir Ronnie was interviewed by her office, but was unable to assist the investigation.
Sir Ronnie led Special Branch before being promoted to chief constable.Sir Ronnie led Special Branch before being promoted to chief constable.
He has clashed with Mrs O'Loan before, when her highly critical assessment of the RUC's inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing led him to say he would "publicly commit suicide" if he believed her report was correct.He has clashed with Mrs O'Loan before, when her highly critical assessment of the RUC's inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing led him to say he would "publicly commit suicide" if he believed her report was correct.
Meanwhile, the Policing Board, which holds to account the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the damning report.
Board chairman Desmond Rea said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland has embarked on the process of change.
"It has dealt with many of these issues, and indeed, that is acknowledged by the ombudsman."