FLANAGAN MOVES BUT STAYS AT THE HELM OF OMAGH CONTROVERSY
Flanagan moves but stays at the helm of Omagh controversy
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
BRITISH Home Secretary David Blunkett's appointment of Ronnie Flanagan to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary puts the outgoing police chief right back at the centre of the Omagh bomb investigation, it emerged yesterday.
While some of the victims' families breathed a sigh of relief that he he would have no further influence in this jurisdiction, he will be close to the heart of two of the strongest recommendations to emerge from the Policing Board deliberations.
As one of the two most senior figures in HMIC, Sir Ronnie will be in a position to exert further influence on the Investigation, perhaps even more than he would have been in the post he will be vacating.
In its agreed outcome, the Policing Board requested the HMIC to "conduct a full review of terrorist linked murder inquiries with a view to reporting on structure, resources, strategies, policies, practices and processes."
Moreover, the board sought to allay fears of undue influence by the Special Branch in the Omagh investigation by requesting the HMIC to "carry out a focused review into Special Branch".
"This review will provide an independent scrutiny to assist the Board in assessing progress on these significant issues," the watchdog body said.
As the Chief Constable spurned a final request by the families to appoint, before his departure from office, a new senior police officer to head the investigation in which they have lost confidence, the Omagh families group assumed that Sir Ronnie role would end on his February 28 retirement. It now seems that the new HMIC officer, who was twice head of the RUC Special Branch, could continue to determine the outcome of the case and its review.
As one of the top HMIC officers, he will undoubtedly be in a position to influence decisions and recommendations in respect of the unit he once headed. In moving to the HMIC, Ronnie Flanagan has been promoted, effectively, to the role of a Policing Ombudsman; this despite the fact that his leadership and judgment were seen as critical in the cocked-up Omagh bomb investigation.
Moreover, following the Policing Board meeting, unionist members recommended that the Police Ombudsman's office come under the authority of the HMIC. If that happens - Ronnie Flanagan could be one of Nuala O'Loan's bosses!
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
BRITISH Home Secretary David Blunkett's appointment of Ronnie Flanagan to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary puts the outgoing police chief right back at the centre of the Omagh bomb investigation, it emerged yesterday.
While some of the victims' families breathed a sigh of relief that he he would have no further influence in this jurisdiction, he will be close to the heart of two of the strongest recommendations to emerge from the Policing Board deliberations.
As one of the two most senior figures in HMIC, Sir Ronnie will be in a position to exert further influence on the Investigation, perhaps even more than he would have been in the post he will be vacating.
In its agreed outcome, the Policing Board requested the HMIC to "conduct a full review of terrorist linked murder inquiries with a view to reporting on structure, resources, strategies, policies, practices and processes."
Moreover, the board sought to allay fears of undue influence by the Special Branch in the Omagh investigation by requesting the HMIC to "carry out a focused review into Special Branch".
"This review will provide an independent scrutiny to assist the Board in assessing progress on these significant issues," the watchdog body said.
As the Chief Constable spurned a final request by the families to appoint, before his departure from office, a new senior police officer to head the investigation in which they have lost confidence, the Omagh families group assumed that Sir Ronnie role would end on his February 28 retirement. It now seems that the new HMIC officer, who was twice head of the RUC Special Branch, could continue to determine the outcome of the case and its review.
As one of the top HMIC officers, he will undoubtedly be in a position to influence decisions and recommendations in respect of the unit he once headed. In moving to the HMIC, Ronnie Flanagan has been promoted, effectively, to the role of a Policing Ombudsman; this despite the fact that his leadership and judgment were seen as critical in the cocked-up Omagh bomb investigation.
Moreover, following the Policing Board meeting, unionist members recommended that the Police Ombudsman's office come under the authority of the HMIC. If that happens - Ronnie Flanagan could be one of Nuala O'Loan's bosses!
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0971
Published Date: 21-Feb-02
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