Flanagan rejects Omagh families' request

Ronnie Flanagan, the chief constable of the North’s police force, has rejected renewed calls for the appointment of an independent investigator to lead to the inquiry into the Omagh bombing.

Relatives of the 29 people killed in the 1998 Real IRA attack have written to Mr Flanagan asking him to replace the current head of the inquiry, but he today ruled out such a move.

Mr Flanagan said: "I’m certainly not going to remove the current senior investigating officer and this was all discussed and explored by the policing board.

"Everyone is well aware of the arrangements which the policing board have decided. I think they are effective working arrangements."

Mr Flanagan said he understands the anguish suffered by the Omagh relatives.

However, he added that he will be replying to them and explaining that they should have every confidence in superintendent Brian McArthur, the British policeman appointed to head the Omagh investigation.

"The reason I wouldn’t contemplate changing that officer is it would very significantly reduce the chances of success and none of us can take that risk," Mr Flanagan said.