Civil servant in Stormont probe released without charge

The civil servant arrested in connection with alleged IRA intelligence gathering at Stormont has been released without charge.

The man, who worked in the offices of the First and Deputy First Ministers, was arrested in Castle Buildings on Wednesday afternoon.

The North's security forces said his arrest was connected to an ongoing investigation into hundreds of documents seized during raids on republican areas of Belfast several weeks ago.

Sinn Fein has called on Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to apologise for comments they made after Wednesday's arrest.

Party spokesman Gerry Kelly said: "Mr Blair described the arrest as a 'serious and grave matter'. Mr Trimble said 'it has huge implications for the peace process'. Both should now apologise publicly for their remarks."

SDLP leader Mark Durkan, who knew the civil servant in question, said today's release vindicated his warning yesterday urging people not to rush to judgement about the arrest.