OMBUDSMAN TOLD TO QUIT
OMBUDSMAN TOLD TO QUIT
By SEAN O'HARA
POLICE chiefs yesterday called on Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to resign for her report criticising the RUC.
Police Federation spokesman Jimmy Spratt accused her office of lacking the expertise to deal with intelligence issues.
He hit out at Mrs O'Loan's investigation claiming it was not complete and contained a number of inaccuracies.
He said: "What I want to see is a proper investigation. This investigation by Ombudsman is not full.
"I have to say that the Ombudsman and the people that she has investigating things are not aware of the intelligence system within Northern Ireland.
"They are not fully au fait with it and I have to say not fully au fait with policing in Northern Ireland over the last 30 years." Mr Spratt called for a full investigation into how the draft document was leaked.
He said: "The Secretary of State indicated that that might be the case and I hope it is.
"I hope it will be an independent investigation and not the Ombudsman investigating itself."
Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, of the Superintendents' Association, added: "It make us wonder who ensures the quality, not only of the accuracy of documents, but also the standard of the investigations of the Police Ombudsman."
Mr Lowry is head of Special Branch in Belfast.
Mrs O'Loan refused to comment yesterday.
Her report, already with the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State, will be given to the families of the Omagh victims next Wednesday.
By SEAN O'HARA
POLICE chiefs yesterday called on Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to resign for her report criticising the RUC.
Police Federation spokesman Jimmy Spratt accused her office of lacking the expertise to deal with intelligence issues.
He hit out at Mrs O'Loan's investigation claiming it was not complete and contained a number of inaccuracies.
He said: "What I want to see is a proper investigation. This investigation by Ombudsman is not full.
"I have to say that the Ombudsman and the people that she has investigating things are not aware of the intelligence system within Northern Ireland.
"They are not fully au fait with it and I have to say not fully au fait with policing in Northern Ireland over the last 30 years." Mr Spratt called for a full investigation into how the draft document was leaked.
He said: "The Secretary of State indicated that that might be the case and I hope it is.
"I hope it will be an independent investigation and not the Ombudsman investigating itself."
Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, of the Superintendents' Association, added: "It make us wonder who ensures the quality, not only of the accuracy of documents, but also the standard of the investigations of the Police Ombudsman."
Mr Lowry is head of Special Branch in Belfast.
Mrs O'Loan refused to comment yesterday.
Her report, already with the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State, will be given to the families of the Omagh victims next Wednesday.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/140
Published Date: 08-Dec-01
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