Policing Board Chairman regrets information 'leak'

The Chairman of the NI Policing Board has described the leaking of information about yesterday's closed meeting of the NI Policing Board as a "breach in confidentiality."

Commenting on the disclosure of material from the briefing in respect of the role and work of the Organised Crime Task Force, Sir Desmond Rea said: "Yesterday’s briefing was one of a series of briefings that the Board has received on the critically important area of Organised Crime. Tackling this area is one that the Board has taken a keen interest in as ultimately all those involved have a serious effect on our community thorough their criminal activities.

"As with other areas of work, in the area of Organised Crime, the Board needs, on a regular basis, confidential briefings from all the relevant agencies involved including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Assets Recovery Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the Home Office and of course the Minister who Chairs the Task Force.

"By definition private and confidential briefings are based on trust. If the initial breach of confidentiality in respect of yesterday’s briefing emanated from a Member of this Board, I have no doubt that the vast majority of the Board will be disappointed to say the least. This breach, regardless of where it emanated, has damaged that trust and that is a matter of regret."

He said that Organised Crime was an area that the Minister, the PSNI, the other key agencies and the Board took "very seriously," and one that must be tackled with skill and determination.

He added: "The Board will await with interest the publication of the Independent Monitoring Commission Report which will allow the wider public to judge the position based on the evidence available.”

(SP/GB)