Police probe collusion leak claim

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Police are investigating claims staff working for the Police Ombudsman have broken the law by leaking sensitive security information to journalists.

The allegations concern Nuala O'Loan's report on collusion earlier this year.

Her report found Special Branch had colluded with UVF members in north Belfast who killed up to 16 people.

The Retired Police Officers' Association has claimed highly confidential details of the investigation were leaked to reporters.

The association, which rejected the report, wrote to Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde earlier this month alleging that staff working for Mrs O'Loan leaked details to journalists - including the names of police officers under investigation - long before the findings were published.

They said that breaches legal restrictions on the disclosure of information.

Police have now launched a preliminary inquiry into the allegations.

It is understood that senior officers have spoken to the Ombudsman and asked for her response.

In a statement, Mrs O'Loan said she rejected any suggestion that her staff have broken the law.

In March the RPA, which represents more than 3,000 retired police officers, criticised her report as "error riddled" and demanded she apologise.

Mrs O'Loan refused, saying her report was "soundly evidence based" and that she was standing by it.

She found UVF members in north Belfast committed murders and other serious crimes while working as informers for Special Branch.

The report found that Special Branch officers had given the killers immunity.