Menu
09/07/2003
Police Ombudsman’s report exonerates Chief Constable
The Police Ombudsman has found that a series of complaints made by the former head of Special Branch in Belfast were "unsubstantiated" and that the Chief Constable did not unfairly remove him.
Former Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, who retired in November last year, had alleged that Chief Constable Hugh Orde had acted “unfairly and politically” in removing him from his role as Regional Intelligence Advisor, Belfast, purely on the instructions of the Security Service.
However, an investigation by the Police Ombudsman found that Mr Lowry had been removed from his post over concerns about information that had been passed on to a senior BBC journalist.
Formerly the police’s Regional Intelligence Advisor for Belfast, Mr Lowry was the senior Special Branch officer working on the investigation of the March 2002 break-in at Castlereagh Police Station.
The Policing Board asked the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to investigate the complaints made by Mr Lowry.
The report disclosed that before the Police Ombudsman’s investigation started there had been concerns about ‘high quality’ leaks of information regarding the Castlereagh investigation and the Stormont investigation. But the Police Ombudsman did not investigate this matter and it is not known who was responsible for the leaks.
Mr Lowry was removed from his post amid concerns he had divulged some sensitive intelligence information to a journalist. A PSNI investigation into the matter was established.
The Police Ombudsman's investigating team interviewed a number of people, including senior members of MI5 and the PSNI. It did not investigate any leaks and these allegations did not form part of the complaint by Mr Lowry.
The Police Ombudsman has forwarded a 42-page report on the investigation, which was led by her Executive Director David Wood, to the Secretary of State, the Policing Board and the Chief Constable.
Mr Lowry told the BBC that he was “disappointed, but not surprised” by the Police Ombudsman’s report.
(SP)
Former Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, who retired in November last year, had alleged that Chief Constable Hugh Orde had acted “unfairly and politically” in removing him from his role as Regional Intelligence Advisor, Belfast, purely on the instructions of the Security Service.
However, an investigation by the Police Ombudsman found that Mr Lowry had been removed from his post over concerns about information that had been passed on to a senior BBC journalist.
Formerly the police’s Regional Intelligence Advisor for Belfast, Mr Lowry was the senior Special Branch officer working on the investigation of the March 2002 break-in at Castlereagh Police Station.
The Policing Board asked the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to investigate the complaints made by Mr Lowry.
The report disclosed that before the Police Ombudsman’s investigation started there had been concerns about ‘high quality’ leaks of information regarding the Castlereagh investigation and the Stormont investigation. But the Police Ombudsman did not investigate this matter and it is not known who was responsible for the leaks.
Mr Lowry was removed from his post amid concerns he had divulged some sensitive intelligence information to a journalist. A PSNI investigation into the matter was established.
The Police Ombudsman's investigating team interviewed a number of people, including senior members of MI5 and the PSNI. It did not investigate any leaks and these allegations did not form part of the complaint by Mr Lowry.
The Police Ombudsman has forwarded a 42-page report on the investigation, which was led by her Executive Director David Wood, to the Secretary of State, the Policing Board and the Chief Constable.
Mr Lowry told the BBC that he was “disappointed, but not surprised” by the Police Ombudsman’s report.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
21 April 2016
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
Officer Disciplined For Failing To Properly Investigate Assault On Boy
A police officer has been disciplined after failing to properly investigate an allegation that a man annoyed by children playing football near his car, attacked a 12-year-old boy by kicking him on the hand.
19 October 2017
Police Chief Under Investigation Over Alleged Misconduct In Public Office
Northern Ireland's police chief is being investigated over alleged misconduct in public office. Mr George Hamilton and a number of other PSNI officers are being investigated by the Police Ombudsman. The claims are in relation to how the police handled an inquiry into the awarding of a contract to supply vehicles to the force.
Police Chief Under Investigation Over Alleged Misconduct In Public Office
Northern Ireland's police chief is being investigated over alleged misconduct in public office. Mr George Hamilton and a number of other PSNI officers are being investigated by the Police Ombudsman. The claims are in relation to how the police handled an inquiry into the awarding of a contract to supply vehicles to the force.
23 January 2003
Ombudsman to probe Lowry dismissal allegations
The Policing Board has confirmed that allegations surrounding the dismissal of Special Branch head Bill Lowry will be investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
Ombudsman to probe Lowry dismissal allegations
The Policing Board has confirmed that allegations surrounding the dismissal of Special Branch head Bill Lowry will be investigated by the Police Ombudsman.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
