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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." | |
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. | |
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." |