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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sam Pollock calls for Police Ombudsman to resign immediately | Sam Pollock calls for Police Ombudsman to resign immediately |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The former chief executive of the Police Ombudsman's office has called for Al Hutchinson to leave his post immediately. | The former chief executive of the Police Ombudsman's office has called for Al Hutchinson to leave his post immediately. |
| Sam Pollock resigned in April because he had lost confidence in the direction and independence of the office. | Sam Pollock resigned in April because he had lost confidence in the direction and independence of the office. |
| He held his post for over 10 years. | He held his post for over 10 years. |
| Mr Hutchinson has confirmed that he will step down next year, earlier than planned, but Mr Pollock told the BBC's Spotlight programme that he should go immediately. | Mr Hutchinson has confirmed that he will step down next year, earlier than planned, but Mr Pollock told the BBC's Spotlight programme that he should go immediately. |
| "Until recently I had urged Mr Hutchinson to fix what was wrong and to fix it quickly," he said. | "Until recently I had urged Mr Hutchinson to fix what was wrong and to fix it quickly," he said. |
| "I'd even urged the minister to support the Police Ombudsman in ensuring that it was fixed quickly. | "I'd even urged the minister to support the Police Ombudsman in ensuring that it was fixed quickly. |
| "Now I feel let down by so much of what's happened, I would have to say on a personal level and on a professional level I think he should resign." | "Now I feel let down by so much of what's happened, I would have to say on a personal level and on a professional level I think he should resign." |
| Mr Pollock announced his resignation in March, claiming the independence of the office has been lowered. | Mr Pollock announced his resignation in March, claiming the independence of the office has been lowered. |
| 'Conflict' | 'Conflict' |
| He told the Spotlight programme why he felt he had to leave his job. | He told the Spotlight programme why he felt he had to leave his job. |
| "I sensed, in the end, a dilemma or a conflict in terms of dealing with the whole issue of informants," said Mr Pollock. | |
| "To speak about the involvement of an informant either directly or indirectly in murder, the loss of life, some atrocities, you cannot fudge that." | "To speak about the involvement of an informant either directly or indirectly in murder, the loss of life, some atrocities, you cannot fudge that." |
| Al Hutchison has said he will step down as Police Ombudsman next June. | Al Hutchison has said he will step down as Police Ombudsman next June. |
| The programme has also uncovered failings in a number of investigations by the ombudsman, including a complaint from the family of murdered republican informer Denis Donaldson. | The programme has also uncovered failings in a number of investigations by the ombudsman, including a complaint from the family of murdered republican informer Denis Donaldson. |
| The self-confessed republican informer was shot dead at a remote cottage in Donegal in April 2006. | The self-confessed republican informer was shot dead at a remote cottage in Donegal in April 2006. |
| But the ombudsman declared the case closed last year with a finding of 'no misconduct' by the police. | But the ombudsman declared the case closed last year with a finding of 'no misconduct' by the police. |
| Spotlight has established that investigators were not aware of a potentially vital piece of information that may shed light on what happened in Donegal. | Spotlight has established that investigators were not aware of a potentially vital piece of information that may shed light on what happened in Donegal. |
| However, the ombudsman rejected claims that his office has gone soft on the police. | However, the ombudsman rejected claims that his office has gone soft on the police. |
| "I can assure everybody that we do deliver independent, impartial, evidence-based reports," said Mr Hutchinson. | "I can assure everybody that we do deliver independent, impartial, evidence-based reports," said Mr Hutchinson. |
| "And whether that is perceived by the public or is not is certainly a matter of debate." | "And whether that is perceived by the public or is not is certainly a matter of debate." |