Ombudsman 'has evidence of Omagh cover-up'

A spokesman for a group of former British spies has said the North’s Police Ombudsman has evidence that the RUC was aware of the Omagh bomb plot two days before the atrocity claimed 31 lives.

Willie Carlin said Nuala O’Loan has received a tape recording of an intelligence agent telling his police handler of the plot to plant a massive bomb in the North.

Earlier this week, Ms O’Loan launched an inquiry into allegations that the RUC and MI5 ignored the advance warning to protect another informer.

The allegations were made by a former spy using the pseudonym Kevin Fulton.

He claimed he gave the RUC the name of the man who was assembling the 500lb bomb which eventually exploded in Omagh, Co Tyrone on August 15th, 1998.

He said he also gave the security forces the registration number of the bomb-maker’s car.

Mr Carlin told BBC Radio Ulster today that the authorities are now trying to cover up the claims.

“The reason you’ll find that the Ombudsman has gone public for an inquiry is because she has the transcripts of the tape,” he said.

“The Ombudsman doesn’t go on allegations; the Ombudsman goes on evidence and she has evidence.”

RUC chief constable Ronnie Flanagan has categorically denied that his officers ignored any advance warning.

Northern Secretary John Reid has also dismissed the claims, saying they are unfounded.

Unionists have called for Ms O’Loan to resign over her attempts to investigate the allegations, saying she doesn’t understand the complexity of the situation.

Former UUP MP Ken Maginnis said the Ombudsman is trying to distract blame away from the Real IRA, who carried out the bombing.