Trimble says collusion was not a policy

The North’s First Minister, David Trimble, has insisted that the RUC and the British army did not collude with loyalist paramilitaries as a matter of policy.

Speaking about allegations in a BBC documentary last night, Mr Trimble said individual policemen and soldiers did help loyalists to carry out murders, but he insisted this collusion was not "organisational".

He said the public should wait until the Stevens inquiry publishes its report into the Pat Finucane killing before passing judgement on the actions of the British security services.