Ombudsman must explain his decision
POLICE Ombudsman Al Hutchinson has raised eyebrows in official circles and in the wider community over his decision to withdraw his report on the bombing of a north Belfast pub in 1971 which killed 15 people.
Mr Hutchinson unexpectedly pulled the report into the atrocity at McGurks' bar in the New Lodge area which has long been the centre of controversy, particularly over counter claims that it was the result of a premature IRA bomb or was carried out by loyalist terrorists with alleged security force collusion.
The Ombudsman's decision has been described as "bizarre" by North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds, who said it set a dangerous precedent in that the withdrawal may be seen as a reaction to public pressure, not based on evidence.
Relatives of those killed in the bar were given early access to the Police Ombudsman's report and claimed there were basic errors and contradictory conclusions on the case.
UUP Policing Board member Basil McCrea also said the withdrawal of the report was highly unusual and called on Mr Hutchinson to explain his actions to the public at large, to the families of those concerned and to politicians.
Indeed, Mr Hutchinson must explain why his report was published at all, particularly if there were any doubts in his mind about the conclusions made on the bombing.
Families of the victims in the McGurks' incident do require to be sensitively considered in all matters concerning this atrocity, but these wider issues must be addressed in order to maintain public confidence.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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