Security breach has put hundreds of lives in danger, warns Sinn Féin

GOVERNMENT ministers have placed the lives of 400 people at risk by refusing to warn them about how they may be affected by a breach at a Belfast security complex, it was claimed yesterday.

Sinn Féin policing spokesman Gerry Kelly criticised Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy and his Security Minister Ian Pearson over their handling of the security breach at Castlereagh.

Last month police confirmed they and the Army were investigating a security breach in the complex.

It later emerged 28 members of the Royal Irish Regiment were being questioned about the disappearance of a security dossier and they had been transferred to alternative duties.

Republicans believe the personal details of around 400 people may have been compromised.

However, the Security Minister has said he is satisfied following discussions with senior police officers that the material had not fallen into the hands of paramilitaries.

Mr Kelly yesterday claimed Mr Pearson’s handling of the situation had been inept.

“Since returning from the USA, Paul Murphy, obviously unimpressed by Ian Pearson’s handling of the civil service dispute, got personally involved in efforts to find a resolution,” the North Belfast Assembly member said.

“Ian Pearson’s performance regarding the ongoing Castlereagh collusion scandal has been even more inept.

“As British Security Minister with responsibility for these matters Mr Pearson at first attempted to suppress the story.

“He has directed in alliance with the PSNI Special Branch a deliberate cover-up of the circumstances of this security breach.

“He has ensured the lives of up to 400 people have been placed in danger and is refusing to inform them of this fact.

“However, ultimately the buck has to stop with Paul Murphy. He is supposed to be in charge at the NIO.

“Yet when faced with a major collusion scandal under his very nose he has adopted the same approach as his predecessors when the Brian Nelson story was first emerging. He has stayed silent.”

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen has been asked by nationalists to raise the disappearance of the dossier at the highest possible level with the British Government.

Sinn Féin last night said they would not let the issue disappear. “It is far too serious for that,” Mr Kelly insisted.

“Sinn Féin will continue to raise this issue at every opportunity with the two governments and also through our representatives in Europe and the USA.

“It is an indictment of British policy in Ireland that 10 years after the IRA cessation the apparatus and mechanisms which controlled and ran the collusion policy are still active.”