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O'Loan briefs board on collusion O'Loan briefs board on collusion
(20 minutes later)
Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is to brief the Policing Board on her findings of RUC collusion with loyalists at a special meeting later.Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan is to brief the Policing Board on her findings of RUC collusion with loyalists at a special meeting later.
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is also expected to attend the sessions which are likely to be heated.Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is also expected to attend the sessions which are likely to be heated.
Unionists have criticised what they said was a lack of evidence.Unionists have criticised what they said was a lack of evidence.
Nationalists have called on the former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to resign from his post as Head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.Nationalists have called on the former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan to resign from his post as Head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman found officers colluded with loyalists behind over a dozen murders in north Belfast at a time when Sir Ronnie was in charge.Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman found officers colluded with loyalists behind over a dozen murders in north Belfast at a time when Sir Ronnie was in charge.
But Sir Ronnie said on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of any collusion.But Sir Ronnie said on Tuesday that he had no knowledge of any collusion.
In a statement, he told the BBC that he had fully cooperated with the ombudsman's investigation at all times. I would find such conduct to be abhorrent, and if such behaviour took place my hope would be that it would be the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings Sir Ronnie Flanagan
In an interview on the BBC's Spotlight programme on Tuesday, Sir Ronnie also dismissed calls for his resignation as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
"I reject that as chief constable it would have been easy or possible for me to know all that is going on in relation to the handling of informants within one unit, of one paramilitary organisation, in one geographical area of Belfast," he said.
"I think what we have to bring to this is some sense of balance.
"We have to look at it and dispel the thought that this was some sort of common practice right throughout Special Branch."
'Call for action'
Earlier, in a statement, he told the BBC that he had fully cooperated with the ombudsman's investigation at all times.
Commenting on the collusion, he said: "I would find such conduct to be abhorrent, and if such behaviour took place my hope would be that it would be the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings."Commenting on the collusion, he said: "I would find such conduct to be abhorrent, and if such behaviour took place my hope would be that it would be the subject of criminal or disciplinary proceedings."
Nevertheless, he is facing calls to quit the body which promotes police efficiency.Nevertheless, he is facing calls to quit the body which promotes police efficiency.
The issue is expected to be raised in the House of Commons during Prime Ministers questions.The issue is expected to be raised in the House of Commons during Prime Ministers questions.
A Sinn Fein delegation is expected to call for action from the Irish government during a meeting later with Irish Foreign Minister Dermott Ahern.A Sinn Fein delegation is expected to call for action from the Irish government during a meeting later with Irish Foreign Minister Dermott Ahern.
Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report, published on Monday, said UVF members in the area committed murders and other serious crimes while working as informers for Special Branch.Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's report, published on Monday, said UVF members in the area committed murders and other serious crimes while working as informers for Special Branch.
Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity, it said.Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity, it said.
The report called for a number of murder investigations to be re-opened.The report called for a number of murder investigations to be re-opened.
But it is unlikely that any of the police officers involved will be prosecuted - the ombudsman said that evidence was deliberately destroyed to ensure there could not be prosecutions.But it is unlikely that any of the police officers involved will be prosecuted - the ombudsman said that evidence was deliberately destroyed to ensure there could not be prosecutions.