Man quizzed in relation to lawyer's murder

Police investigating the murder of Northern Ireland human rights lawyer Rosemary Nelson were tonight continuing to question a top loyalist.

The man, 41, was detained at his home in Portadown, Co Armagh earlier today and taken away for questioning.

He was once a close associate of Billy ‘‘King Rat’’ Wright, the leader of the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) who was shot dead inside the Maze Prison at Christmas l997.

Mrs Nelson died when she was blown up by a bomb left under her car outside

her home in Lurgan, Co Armagh in March 1999.

No-one has yet been charged with her murder.

The investigation is being headed up by Colin Port, deputy Chief Constable of Norfolk.

Norfolk Police said tonight that a 60-year-old man arrested by the Port team in a pre-planned operation in Portadown last Thursday had been charged with weapons offences.

He was charged with possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances and possession of ammunition. He went before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody to be returned to the court tomorrow.

A 29-year-old man arrested at the same time was released without charge.