MERSEYSIDE OFFICER TO OVERSEE BOMBING PROBE
Merseyside officer to oversee bombing probe
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE Northern Ireland Office this week named the so called 'oversight' officer coming from Merseyside to play something of a 'quality control' role in the investigation of the Omagh bombing.
Deputy Chief Constable, Mike Tonge, from the Merseyside police force comes to the post with the brief of implementing the proposals of the Policing Board vis-a-vis the Omagh bomb.
The Board was forced to urgently consider the investigation after the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan found that Special Branch had, but did not pass on, vital knowledge prior to the attack.
Mike Tonge will not have an operational role and the control of the investigation will rest with the PSNI senior investigating officer.
Policing Board member, Joe Byrne, has welcomed the appointment and said Mr Tonge will have responsibility for a number of key areas including ensuring the investigation is properly resourced in order to satisfactorily conclude the investigation, enhancing the co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Siochana, providing strategic guidance to the Policing Board and quality assuring the overall investigation. "The appointment of DCC Tonge is only one of a series of measures the Policing Board has recommended to beef up the Omagh bomb investigation. These include the appointment of Deputy Chief Superintendent Phil Jones from the Merseyside Police as the external senior officer to directly scrutinise the current enquiry to maximise all evidence gathering opportunities, the appointment of HMI Blakely to review procedures in relation to murder investigations in the North and a focussed 'boring down' review into Special Branch and how intelligence is shared with other parts of the PSNI. "The SDLP is determined to get policing right. Through our membership of the Policing Board we have played a central role in arguing for these reviews so that policing in the North is fully transparent and accountable", said Mr Byrne.
This week's appointment was finalised at a meeting between the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Policing Board; Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (of which Ronnie Flanagan is a senior official) the Chair of the Merseyside Police Authority and the Chief Constable of the Merseyside Police.
Mr Tonge will report to the Board through the HMIC for Northern Ireland and conclude his work in December 2002.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
THE Northern Ireland Office this week named the so called 'oversight' officer coming from Merseyside to play something of a 'quality control' role in the investigation of the Omagh bombing.
Deputy Chief Constable, Mike Tonge, from the Merseyside police force comes to the post with the brief of implementing the proposals of the Policing Board vis-a-vis the Omagh bomb.
The Board was forced to urgently consider the investigation after the Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan found that Special Branch had, but did not pass on, vital knowledge prior to the attack.
Mike Tonge will not have an operational role and the control of the investigation will rest with the PSNI senior investigating officer.
Policing Board member, Joe Byrne, has welcomed the appointment and said Mr Tonge will have responsibility for a number of key areas including ensuring the investigation is properly resourced in order to satisfactorily conclude the investigation, enhancing the co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Siochana, providing strategic guidance to the Policing Board and quality assuring the overall investigation. "The appointment of DCC Tonge is only one of a series of measures the Policing Board has recommended to beef up the Omagh bomb investigation. These include the appointment of Deputy Chief Superintendent Phil Jones from the Merseyside Police as the external senior officer to directly scrutinise the current enquiry to maximise all evidence gathering opportunities, the appointment of HMI Blakely to review procedures in relation to murder investigations in the North and a focussed 'boring down' review into Special Branch and how intelligence is shared with other parts of the PSNI. "The SDLP is determined to get policing right. Through our membership of the Policing Board we have played a central role in arguing for these reviews so that policing in the North is fully transparent and accountable", said Mr Byrne.
This week's appointment was finalised at a meeting between the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Policing Board; Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (of which Ronnie Flanagan is a senior official) the Chair of the Merseyside Police Authority and the Chief Constable of the Merseyside Police.
Mr Tonge will report to the Board through the HMIC for Northern Ireland and conclude his work in December 2002.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1027
Published Date: 23-May-02
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