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06/12/2002
Policing Board focuses on Chief Superintendent's departure
Last month's decision by a PSNI Special Branch Chief Superintendent to quit was the focus of a meeting of the Policing Board yesterday.
The furore was sparked when the Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, who investigated the alleged IRA spy ring at Stormont, lodged a complaint over the circumstances of his departure with board chairman, Professor Desmond Rea.
While Professor Rea refused to comment pending legal advice, several members of the board stepped forward to voice concerns and to question Chief Constable Hugh Orde over the affair.
Ian Paisley Jnr demanded an immediate public enquiry into the issue, claiming there exists "prima facie evidence there's more to this than meets the eye."
Mr Paisley enquired if there had been any interference from London, and asked if Mr Lowry "was too successful in the type of people he was arresting."
Mr Orde denied any outside influence, saying: "I came under no pressure whatsoever to encourage anyone to leave the Police Service of Northern Ireland."
The Chief Constable went on to add he was dismayed to lose "all senior officers" but "if an officer chooses to retire, it's entirely appropriate for them to do that."
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Atwood praised the board for seeking legal advice, and called for his fellow members to act responsibly.
He said: "While others in and around the Policing Board seek headlines, create doubts and fuel suspicions, the Policing Board has a duty to all in the north to act properly."
(GB)
The furore was sparked when the Chief Superintendent Bill Lowry, who investigated the alleged IRA spy ring at Stormont, lodged a complaint over the circumstances of his departure with board chairman, Professor Desmond Rea.
While Professor Rea refused to comment pending legal advice, several members of the board stepped forward to voice concerns and to question Chief Constable Hugh Orde over the affair.
Ian Paisley Jnr demanded an immediate public enquiry into the issue, claiming there exists "prima facie evidence there's more to this than meets the eye."
Mr Paisley enquired if there had been any interference from London, and asked if Mr Lowry "was too successful in the type of people he was arresting."
Mr Orde denied any outside influence, saying: "I came under no pressure whatsoever to encourage anyone to leave the Police Service of Northern Ireland."
The Chief Constable went on to add he was dismayed to lose "all senior officers" but "if an officer chooses to retire, it's entirely appropriate for them to do that."
SDLP Policing Board member Alex Atwood praised the board for seeking legal advice, and called for his fellow members to act responsibly.
He said: "While others in and around the Policing Board seek headlines, create doubts and fuel suspicions, the Policing Board has a duty to all in the north to act properly."
(GB)
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