Former Chief Constable denies knowledge of collusion

Former RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has today denied knowing about the collusion between his officers and loyalist paramilitaries when he was in charge.

Earlier today, politicians called for Sir Ronnie to step down as Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, following yesterday's report by Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, who revealed information regarding state collusion between Special Branch Officers and loyalist informers between 1991 and 2003 – and the involvement and cover up of around 15 murders in Northern Ireland during that period.

In response to the report, Sir Ronnie, issued the following statement: "In relation to the Ombudsman's investigation that is the subject of recent media coverage, I at all times fully co-operated with their staff, as I of course would with any of their investigations.

"I utterly refute any suggestion, as has been misrepresented in some of the media coverage, that I was in any way evasive or unhelpful.”

The statement continued: "On the contrary, at no time during the investigation, or since, did any member of the Ombudsman's staff express to me any reservations about my personal action or conduct in any post that I held.

"This includes the six month period when I was appointed as head of Special Branch in the aftermath of the Chinook helicopter tragedy in the summer of 1994.

"With respect to the specific matters dealt with in the Ombudsman's report, at no time did I have any knowledge, or evidence, of officers at any level behaving in the ways that have been described.

"I would find such conduct to be abhorrent, and if such behaviour took place my hope would be that it would be the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings.”

Sir Ronnie continued by saying that he welcomed the recommendation that the dreadful crimes described are to be re-examined and added that he hopes that evidence can yet be uncovered to bring the perpetrators of these terrible crimes to justice.

(EF)