Orde cleared of wrongdoing over Lowry removal

The North's Police Ombudsman has cleared PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde of any wrongdoing in relation to the removal of Bill Lowry from his post as Special Branch chief superintendent.

Mr Lowry was removed from the post, but not sacked, following claims that information about an alleged IRA raid on Castlereagh barracks and an alleged IRA "spy ring" at Stormont were leaked to the media.

The former Special Branch chief submitted four complaints in relation to the matter, including a claim that his removal was ordered by the British intelligence agency MI5.

He also claimed he was sacrificed because his diligence in investigating the IRA was damaging to the peace process, but the Ombudsman rejected the arguments in a report published today.