This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6292735.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
O'Loan briefs board on collusion O'Loan briefs board on collusion
(about 2 hours 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 - during the 1990s - 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.
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 Sir Ronnie Flanagan has dismissed resign calls
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.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 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."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.""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.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."
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. 'Totally unacceptable'
Special Branch officers gave the killers immunity, it said. Meanwhile, the sister of a man murdered by the UVF gang at the centre of the ombudsman's report said the family were not warned in advance that he was to be mentioned in the report.
The report called for a number of murder investigations to be re-opened. Jacqueline Larkin's brother, Gerard Brady, a Catholic taxi driver, was murdered in Carrickfergus in 1994 after picking up a fare in Antrim.
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. Jacqueline Larkin said the way they found out was totally unacceptable.
"I am not knocking the ombudsman's team - because of certain reasons they couldn't release information to us.
"But I think it would be a fairer thing to come and let my mother know, or a member of the family have some idea that Gerard was going to be named in that report."
However, a Police Ombudsman spokesman said all the families were contacted before the report's publication.
He said he believed that, in some cases, there were communication problems between some family members.