Police 'wanted to charge loyalist in relation to Nelson murder'

Detectives probing the murder of Northern Ireland lawyer Rosemary Nelson wanted to charge a prominent Mid Ulster loyalist with involvement in the killing, it emerged today.

Amid claims that Royal Ulster Constabulary officers had threatened her, Norfolk Deputy Chief Constable Colin Port was called in to head up an independent investigation.

No one has ever been charged with the bomb attack, which was claimed by the so-called Red Hand Defenders.

But according to a legal dossier, Mr Port – who has now stepped down from the inquiry – suspected a leading loyalist from the Mid Ulster area of being heavily linked to the murder.

He was set to charge the man, named only as “P”, with being a member of the Red Hand Defenders, allowing his house to be used for terrorism, and being involved in the killing, papers submitted to the High Court in Belfast said.

“Mr Port believed that P had invented the biblical codeword used in the claim of responsibility for Mrs Nelson’s murder and that he had personally put in the claim,” the document claimed.

“Mr Port also indicated that P had produced the ‘Man Without A Future’ pamphlet and probably authored it.”

This flier referred to Breandan Mac Cionnaith, spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents who were involved in a bitter stand-off with Portadown Orangemen over the controversial Drumcree parade.

Mrs Nelson had represented the residents, and her personal details were printed on the pamphlet.

Detectives questioned the man, but it is understood the Director of Public Prosecutions decided there was insufficient evidence to charge the suspect.

Mr Port today declined to make any comment.

Details of the police chief’s bid to seize P were contained in judicial review papers submitted to the Belfast-based Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), which is still waiting for a ruling on its bid to gain access to investigation files.

It has accused police of failing to fully probe threats issued against Mrs Nelson before her death.

As well as the pamphlet naming the solicitor, another letter sent to her declared: “We have you in our sights, you republican bastard, we will teach you a lesson. RIP.”

Both documents were sent to former Security Minister Adam Ingram in August 1998 and passed on to former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s office.

But it was only after the bombing in March 1999 that detectives came to the CAJ’s offices seeking the original copies for forensic tests, the group claimed.

Even though security chiefs have insisted they had no intelligence to suggest loyalists were targeting Mrs Nelson, the CAJ has demanded access to papers on the case.

Lawyers for CAJ claimed Mrs Nelson’s life may have been saved if the threats had been examined sooner.

After being refused access, representatives lodged a complaint with Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan, but the CAJ has also accused her of turning down requests for documents.

Judgment was reserved after the case was heard by Mr Justice Kerr at the High Court.

A spokesman for the CAJ said the organisation would not be making any comment until a ruling was issued.