Trimble warns don't "jump to conclusions" on Castlereagh

The Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble has said people must not jump to conclusions about who carried out the raid on the Special Branch office in Castlereagh.

A Special Branch officer was assaulted and documents taken when three men entered an office inside the Castlereagh centre on Sunday and lifted security papers.

On Thursday, Mr Trimble said he was aware of concerns people had about what is being described as a devastating breach of national security.

“There is also obviously going to be a lot of rumour, and rumour never loses anything in the telling," he said.

“I would caution people at the moment to be careful and not to jump to conclusions. The important thing, the key thing, is that the police investigation should proceed with the utmost urgency.”

Two separate investigations into the incident are to take place. The PSNI’s own inquiry and an inquiry by former senior civil servant Sir John Chilcot who will report directly to Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan said her office would not carry out any investigation into the breach at this stage.

Mrs O'Loan said if it became clear that serving officers were involved in the breach the matter should be referred back to her office.

Mr Trimble has welcomed Ms O’Loan’s decision not to mount her own inquiry.

“The Ombudsman’s office must never try to develop into a rival police force,” he said.

(AMcE)