Terror probe policeman up for top Ulster job

A senior Metropolitan police officer investigating allegations of collusion between members of the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries is in the running for the top job in Northern Ireland’s new police service.

Hugh Orde who has spent two-and-a-half years reinvestigating the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane, is a candidate for the Chief Constable’s job, Police Board sources confirmed today.

However Mr Orde, aged 43 and a deputy assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, refused to make any comment.

He is due to report on the findings of his inquiry into security force collusion with loyalists by June.

Other candidates for the post include two senior Northern Ireland officers. Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan and Chris Albiston, an Englishman who has returned to the force from secondment in Kosovo.