PRIME MINISTER WANTS OMAGH FILES REVIEWED IN LIGHT OF GCHQ DISCLOSURES
Prime Minister wants Omagh files reviewed in light of GCHQ disclosures
Orde says review will be helpful
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
a.mullan@ulsterherald.com
FOLLOWING the disclosure that GCHQ may have monitored the mobile phones of the Omagh bombers on the vary day of the tragedy, Gordon Brown has announced a review of intelligence material relating to blast.
BBC's panorama revealed the Government Communication Headquarters was monitoring Real IRA phone conversations even as the bombers drove the device into the town.
The revelation has caused shock and dismay amongst the families but has also given a glimmer of hope that there may yet be some prospect of justice for their loved ones.
Spokesman for some of the Omagh families said that the thought that the authorities could have prevented the bombing, but didn't, was "A terrible thought to have to deal with."
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the review should be completed within three months.
"The Prime Minister has invited the Rt Hon Sir Peter Gibson, the Intelligence Services Commissioner, to review the intercepted intelligence material available to the security and intelligence agencies in relation to the Omagh bombing and how it was shared."
Chief Constable of the PSNI, Hugh Orde, said the review was a "positive and helpful" thing.
"We need to wait to see what comes out of that investigation. I have no intention of talking about intelligence, I never have and I never will. I do think it's important that we now step back and wait and see what this inquiry uncovers."
Earlier in the week some of the families bereaved in the blast had threatened legal action to try to force the intelligence services to hand over information about the bombing.
Orde says review will be helpful
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
a.mullan@ulsterherald.com
FOLLOWING the disclosure that GCHQ may have monitored the mobile phones of the Omagh bombers on the vary day of the tragedy, Gordon Brown has announced a review of intelligence material relating to blast.
BBC's panorama revealed the Government Communication Headquarters was monitoring Real IRA phone conversations even as the bombers drove the device into the town.
The revelation has caused shock and dismay amongst the families but has also given a glimmer of hope that there may yet be some prospect of justice for their loved ones.
Spokesman for some of the Omagh families said that the thought that the authorities could have prevented the bombing, but didn't, was "A terrible thought to have to deal with."
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the review should be completed within three months.
"The Prime Minister has invited the Rt Hon Sir Peter Gibson, the Intelligence Services Commissioner, to review the intercepted intelligence material available to the security and intelligence agencies in relation to the Omagh bombing and how it was shared."
Chief Constable of the PSNI, Hugh Orde, said the review was a "positive and helpful" thing.
"We need to wait to see what comes out of that investigation. I have no intention of talking about intelligence, I never have and I never will. I do think it's important that we now step back and wait and see what this inquiry uncovers."
Earlier in the week some of the families bereaved in the blast had threatened legal action to try to force the intelligence services to hand over information about the bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1961
Published Date: 18-Sep-08
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