Police escape charges in collusion investigation

No police officers are to be charged in connection with their involvement in a collusion scandal in which loyalist paramilitary informers were allowed to commit up to 15 murders in the North, it was confirmed today.

Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's investigators revealed that three retired assistant chief constables, seven detective chief superintendents and two detective superintendents were among those who did not cooperate with their inquiry into how an Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) unit based in north Belfast was protected by its Special Branch handlers, but the destruction of files has thwarted attempts to bring anyone to account.