North’s Special Branch faces overhaul

NORTHERN Ireland’s controversial Special Branch police unit is set for a major overhaul after it was severely criticised in a new report yesterday.

A review carried out by Dan Crompton of the British Inspectorate of Constabulary made 11 recommendations in a bid to ensure greater accountability.

But as his policing board accepted the report in Belfast, Chief Constable Hugh Orde insisted the anti-terrorist unit was not being phased out.