Collusion in killings confirmed

ROGUE elements in the security forces were involved in a deadly plot with loyalist paramilitaries to carry out a series of sectarian murders in the North, the Stevens Report confirmed yesterday.

Following a four-year inquiry into allegations of widespread collusion between Special Branch, Army officers and Protestant terrorists, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Sevens concluded there was damning proof of the use of agents in assassinations and the withholding evidence.

Mr Stevens whose inquiries centred on the shooting of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane by the Ulster Defence Association in February 1989, said that killing and the death of Protestant student Brian Adam Lambert in November 1987 could have been prevented.

In a 20-page summary of his report, the Met chief also made 21 recommendations in a bid to safeguard future intelligence operations.

These include a call for the Police Service of Northern Ireland to carry out a full review of all procedures for investigating terrorist offences.

In his report Sir John said: "My inquiries have highlighted collusion, the wilful failure to keep records, the absence of accountability, the withholding of intelligence and evidence, and the extreme of agents being involved in murder.

"These serious acts and omissions have meant that people have been killed or seriously injured."

He also set out how his investigation the third since he was first brought in to examine collusion claims in 1989 have been obstructed.

"I have uncovered enough evidence to lead me to believe that the murders of Patrick Finucane and Brian Adam Lambert could have been prevented.

"I also believe that the RUC investigation of Patrick Finucane's murder should have resulted in the early arrest and detection of his killers."

Sinn Fein said there had to be nothing less than a full international judicial inquiry.

They claimed this was essential to get to the heart of British military policy.

Alex Maskey, the party's Lord Mayor of Belfast, said the report pointed to methods authorised by those at the top. "This is not about rogue elements within the British system. It is about a state policy sanctioned at the highest level."

Chief Constable Hugh Orde said the Police Service of Northern Ireland is a very different force to the one described in the Stevens report.

Mr Orde said he was determined to make sure there was no collusion between officers in his force and loyalist paramilitaries.