MEP defends RUC in Europe
25 January 2007
Following Sinn Fein circulating MEPs with O'Loan's report and vicious attack on Special Branch and the RUC, Jim Allister has countered by emailing every MEP with details of what the policemen concerned and Sir Ronnie Flanagan have said in response.
In his email Jim Allister says:- "Though Mrs O'Loan concedes there is no evidence warranting prosecutions of police officers, she nonetheless, without evidence of that quality, rushes to damn Special Branch.
In the interests of a more balanced consideration of the issues than that which Sinn Fein would wish, some might be interested in reading what various of the accused police have said:-
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Former RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan today denied having any knowledge of collusion between his officers and a murderous loyalist terror gang in Belfast when he was in charge.
Sir Ronnie issued the followingstatement:
``I consider myself someone who played a pivotal role in the reform of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its transition to becoming the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
``This included the restructuring of what was Special Branch and the Criminal Investigation Department, a process so ably carried on by my colleagues the late Colin Cramphorn and Sir Hugh Orde.
``In relation to the Ombudsman's investigation that is the subject of recent media coverage, I at all times fully co-operated with their staff, as I of course would with any of their investigations.
``I utterly refute any suggestion, as has been misrepresented in some of the media coverage, that I was in any way evasive or unhelpful. On the contrary, at no time during the investigation, or since, did any member of the Ombudsman's staff express to me any reservations about my personal action or conduct in any post that I held.
``This includes the six month period when I was appointed as head of Special Branch in the aftermath of the Chinook helicopter tragedy in the summer of 1994.
``With respect to the specific matters dealt with in the Ombudsman's report, at no time did I have any knowledge, or evidence, of officers at any level behaving in the ways that have been described.
``I would find such conduct to be abhorrent, and if such behaviour took place my hope would be that it would be the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
``I particularly welcome the recommendation that the dreadful crimes described are to be re-examined.
``It is my earnest hope that evidence can yet be uncovered to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice and I fully endorse, and add my personal apology to, Sir Hugh Orde's apology to relatives that this has not yet been achieved.''
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ACCUSED OFFICERS ANSWER BACK
Ex-senior police officers questioned by the Ombudsman said they vigorously challenged her allegations, which they claimed were unfounded and incapable of substantiation.
A statement on their behalf said: ``It has therefore come as no surprise to them that there will be no prosecutions, although they deeply regret the damage she has caused to the reputation of many fine officers who were doing their duty on behalf of the community at great personal risk.
``The officers firmly believe that they have always acted in the best interests of the pursuit of justice, seeking to minimise the threat to the community and to maximise the effectiveness of the counter-terrorism drive.
``These officers have nothing to be ashamed about and much to be proud of. Their actions, at great personal risk to themselves, have saved the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people.''
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Chris Albiston, a retired Assistant Chief Constable, insisted the officers contacted by Mrs O'Loan's team provided information that would assist her inquiry and looked to address specific issues.
Speaking for those the Ombudsman claimed gave no assistance, he said: ``Some 18 months afterwards when it became apparent that a critical report was being prepared we asked to see the content and the nature of the allegations being made.
``There was no co-operation from her office on this report and officers were unable to see her report until Monday.''
