Cashflow crisis holds up murder investigation in the North

A BUDGET crisis for the police ombudsman’s office in the North has halted an investigation into a loyalist police informer’s involvement in a series of murders.

Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan’s office confirmed that the Raymond McCord murder inquiry will not proceed to a full investigation due to lack of resources.

A north Belfast UVF member suspected of being a police informer is believed to have ordered the murder of the 22-year-old Protestant, who was beaten to death and dumped in a quarry in November 1997.

The dead man’s father, also Raymond, claimed that the special branch blocked a police inquiry into the killing.

Mrs O’Loan’s office confirmed: “We received a complaint from Raymond McCord, alleging police misconduct regarding the circumstances of his son’s murder. We carried out initial inquiries and had hoped to proceed to a full investigation but, because we have not received the additional funding required, that investigation will be delayed.”

The spokesperson said the inquiry would resume when resources permitted.

Mrs O’Loan’s office was turned down for an extra stg£5m on top of her stg£7m budget to conduct further inquiries into the McCord murder and a number of other cases.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland declined to comment on MR McCord’s claims.

However, the Northern Ireland Office said the police ombudsman’s office obtained the full budget requested. “This was an additional request for funding but it’s up to the ombudsman’s office how it prioritises investigations,” said the NIO.

The UVF, meanwhile, had denied involvement in the McCord murder. The terror group had considered an internal inquiry into the killing until the McCord family went public and contacted the media. Raymond McCord claimed his son was killed because of information he had about the UVF man believed to be a police informer.

Meanwhile, Mrs O’Loan’s office faces further scrutiny with the planned appointment of a new Justice Oversight Commissioner. UUP leader David Trimble yesterday claimed the new Commissioner’s role will include holding the police ombudsman ‘to account’ as, currently, the office is answerable only to Westminster for its investigations into allegations of police wrongdoing. “That is something we can all welcome,” said Mr Trimble.