UK security chief gave evidence for Nelson Inquiry

The head of British Intelligence in the North is among a string of security chiefs to have been quizzed by the inquiry into the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson, it emerged today.

As the public inquiry held its first hearings in Belfast, details were released of the work that has already gone on behind-the-scenes into the death of the solicitor killed by loyalists in March 1999.

Today the inquiry revealed the list of top ranking security force officials it has now interviewed as it investigates allegations the authorities may have had a role in Mrs Nelson’s murder.

Counsel for the inquiry, Rory Phillips QC, said witness statements have been taken from 30 British police officers up to the rank of assistant chief constable, 19 MI5 intelligence officers and eight senior British army intelligence officers.

He revealed the list included the Director and Co-ordinator of Intelligence in Northern Ireland, the head of the UK's police Special Branch and intelligence officers from across the security forces involved in handling agents.

Mrs Nelson had alleged police harassment prior to her death and Mr Phillips began today’s proceedings with an opening statement detailing the task to be carried out by the three-member inquiry team.

“On your behalf it will be our task over the months of these hearings to investigate and probe these and other matters which include very troubling suggestions, at their highest of state involvement in the murder of one of the state’s own citizens, in a dispassionate and calm way so that the truth is not itself obscured by emotion, preconception or prejudice,” he said.

Mrs Nelson’s husband Paul, as well as her mother and her brothers and sisters, were present for the opening day of the inquiry in the Interpoint Centre in central Belfast.

They sat behind the rows of lawyers representing parties to the inquiry, including representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), Northern Ireland Office (NIO), army and British intelligence service MI5.

The inquiry follows a lengthy police investigation which failed to convict anyone in connection with Mrs Nelson’s murder.

The 40-year-old lawyer was killed in a car bomb at her home in Lurgan on March 15, 1999, which was claimed by the loyalist paramilitary group the Red Hand Defenders.

Prior to her death, she came to prominence for representing a group of high profile republican and nationalist clients, including the Catholic Garvaghy Road residents’ group that opposed Orange Order parades at Drumcree.

Her work brought her into contact with senior politicians and public figures and the inquiry today confirmed Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff to the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair, has also given a statement.

Mrs Nelson had told representatives of the US Congress and the United Nations that her life was being threatened by RUC officers and loyalist paramilitaries. And while the the allegations were denied by police, the claims fuelled speculation of a wider conspiracy against the lawyer.

More than £15m (€18.6m) has so far been spent on the Nelson case but Mr Phillips told the inquiry today that the failure to catch her killers continues to cause controversy.

“At the time of her murder there was a perception, that has persisted to this day, that she was killed for her work [as a solicitor],” Mr Phillips said.

But he added: “An important characteristic of a free democratic society governed according to law, is the presence within it of lawyers who are willing and able to take up the cause of those charged with offences, however grave they may be and however repellent the nature of the conduct alleged,” he said.

“And to represent them fearlessly and to the best of their ability whatever society’s view of their clients.”

Mr Phillips said Mrs Nelson’s murder was one of more than three thousand to have taken place during the North's Troubles.

He drew comparisons with the loyalist killing in 1989 of solicitor Pat Finucane, which has also stirred allegations of security force collusion.

Mr Phillips added that Mrs Nelson’s allegations of threats prior to her death and their airing on the world stage had set her case apart.

“Suffice to say at this point that the striking and possibly unique feature of her murder was that the fact of it, if not the manner of it, had apparently been so clearly foreshadowed, not least by her,” he said.

“Unsurprisingly therefore after her murder there were many who wanted to know whether more could have been done to protect her and whether her murder could have been prevented.”

He added: “Importantly however the theories, the claims and counter claims which have surrounded the murder have had no public airing, until now.”

Mrs Nelson’s brother Eunan Magee said his family now hoped the truth would emerge.

“The inquiry will be a difficult process for the family, but there is some relief that this day has finally arrived,” he said.

“We just hope that the truth will come out at the end. We have nothing to fear from the truth, and everyone can then make their own judgement on what happened to Rosemary.”

The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry is being led by a panel of three officials chaired by Michael Morland, a retired Judge of the High Court of England and Wales.

His colleagues are former Chair of the Board of Customs and Excise Dame Valerie Strachan and Anthony Burden, former Chief Constable of South Wales Police.

Mr Phillips’ opening statement on the case is expected to last at least three days, while the first witnesses are expected to appear at the public inquiry by the end of the month.