OMBUIDSMAN WON'T BE QUESTIONING POLICE CHIEF'
Ombudsman 'won't be questioning police chief
By Barry McCaffrey
THE senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb inquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, last night said he was not among those due to be interviewed by Police Ombudsman detectives investigating alleged "beefing up" of statements.
Earlier this week Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson announced that he was widening his investigation to address concerns expressed by Omagh bomb trial judge Mr Justice Weir at the conclusion of the case.
Mr Justice Weir had severely criticised the PSNI, accusing Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall and Constable Fiona Cooper of "deliberate and calculated" deception after they had been found during the trial to have "beefed up" witness statements.
In October 2006 Mr Justice Weir had initially asked the Police Ombudsman to investigate the actions of the two officers.
Detective Chief Superintendent Baxter last night said, speaking in a personal capacity, he was not among those officers expected to be interviewed by the Police Ombudsman in his newly widened investigation.
"During the trial of Sean Hoey Mr Justice Weir directed me to refer the evidence of two witnesses to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, which I did with the support of the chief constable," he said.
"From that point the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been responsible for investigating Mr Justice Weir's concerns.
"The Police Ombudsman completed the investigation and forwarded papers to the Public Prosecution Service.
"I was not interviewed during this investigation either as witness or a suspect officer.
"I have been deeply disturbed by a report in yesterday's Irish News that I would be interviewed in connection with tampering with evidence.
"I have been told by a senior member of the Police Ombudsman's office that I am not under investigation and this was further reinforced today."
Following the collapse of the trial Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde strongly defended Chief Superintendent Baxter's investigation of the Omagh bombing.
"I think what Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter did with what he had was outstanding," he said.
He was similarly supported by a number of the families who had lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing.
By Barry McCaffrey
THE senior investigating officer in the Omagh bomb inquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter, last night said he was not among those due to be interviewed by Police Ombudsman detectives investigating alleged "beefing up" of statements.
Earlier this week Police Ombudsman Al Hutchinson announced that he was widening his investigation to address concerns expressed by Omagh bomb trial judge Mr Justice Weir at the conclusion of the case.
Mr Justice Weir had severely criticised the PSNI, accusing Detective Chief Inspector Philip Marshall and Constable Fiona Cooper of "deliberate and calculated" deception after they had been found during the trial to have "beefed up" witness statements.
In October 2006 Mr Justice Weir had initially asked the Police Ombudsman to investigate the actions of the two officers.
Detective Chief Superintendent Baxter last night said, speaking in a personal capacity, he was not among those officers expected to be interviewed by the Police Ombudsman in his newly widened investigation.
"During the trial of Sean Hoey Mr Justice Weir directed me to refer the evidence of two witnesses to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, which I did with the support of the chief constable," he said.
"From that point the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been responsible for investigating Mr Justice Weir's concerns.
"The Police Ombudsman completed the investigation and forwarded papers to the Public Prosecution Service.
"I was not interviewed during this investigation either as witness or a suspect officer.
"I have been deeply disturbed by a report in yesterday's Irish News that I would be interviewed in connection with tampering with evidence.
"I have been told by a senior member of the Police Ombudsman's office that I am not under investigation and this was further reinforced today."
Following the collapse of the trial Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde strongly defended Chief Superintendent Baxter's investigation of the Omagh bombing.
"I think what Detective Chief Superintendent Norman Baxter did with what he had was outstanding," he said.
He was similarly supported by a number of the families who had lost loved ones in the Omagh bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0891
Published Date: 19-Jan-08
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.