UVF victim’s father hopes new tests will lead to charges

The father of a man murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force says he believes new forensic tests could finally lead to charges being brought.

Twenty-two-year-old Belfast man Raymond McCord was beaten to death in November 1997 and dumped in a quarry on the outskirts of the city.

His father, also Raymond, believes the police are shielding the killers because of the alleged involvement of Mark Haddock, a senior UVF man who is also believed to be a Special Branch agent.

Mr McCord held talks on the case yesterday with PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde and the special police unit set up to inquire into unsolved murders committed during the Troubles.

He said afterwards that he had been told new forensic tests were being carried out and he "would like to think" charges may be forthcoming.

He also said he was pleased with Mr Orde's attitude and believed the chief constable would not allow Special Branch to tell him what to do.