North’s Police Ombudsman’s report on loyalist collusion criticised

The North's Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan, is calling for three retired senior police officers to be questioned over collusion with loyalists in north Belfast.

This comes after DUP MP, Jeffrey Donaldson, claimed a parliamentary answer from the British Government exonerated the three officers from any wrong-doing.

In her latest report into police collusion with loyalists, the Ombudsman said she regretted some very senior former police officers had refused to be interviewed.

The three involved, believed to include a former assistant chief constable, and two other equally high-ranking officers, then slammed the Ombudsman's methods and said her report lacked evidence.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson supports them and tabled a parliamentary question which received the official response that all three had served with commitment and distinction.

Mr. Donaldson says this exonerates them from any involvement but the Ombudsman's office says it still wants to question three senior officers who had refused to co-operate and her questions so far remain unanswered.