RUC accused of protecting IRA killer of policeman

The son of an RUC officer killed by the IRA in Belfast 20 years ago has accused senior officers of covering-up the involvement of a republican informer.

The claim has been made by Gavin Larmour after the Police Ombudsman concluded that the RUC failed to properly investigate the 1988 murder of his father, John Larmour.

Mr Larmour claims some police officers knew who the killer was, but failed to pass the information to detectives, possibly because the man was an informer.

The Ombudsman's report did not go this far, but it has concluded that some information was withheld from detectives investigating the murder.

Mr Larmour is demanding that a new investigation be carried out and says he is disappointed that the Ombudsman has not recommended disciplinary action against senior officers.