Possible ‘cover up’ by PSNI
**Via Newshound
PSNI threatens to withhold requested info on UVF murders
by Ciarán Barnes
The PSNI has been accused of a “cover up” after it refused to release figures about how many people it has questioned and charged in relation to 29 Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) murders since 1994.
A spokesman said it might not be in the “public interest” to make the details known, a response that has provoked an angry response from victims’ campaigners.
On April 21, Daily Ireland submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking the information. Under the terms of the act, the PSNI had 20 working days to respond to the request.
On May 22, the PSNI emailed this newspaper asking for a two-week extension. An information officer claimed “it is taking longer than first anticipated to search records, these include searches of a manual nature”. He said a new date for a response was June 5.
The PSNI emailed Daily Ireland again yesterday, only this time threatening to withhold details about the UVF murders.
An information officer said the PSNI was considering whether it was in the “public interest” to make the details known.
Last December the Public Prosecution Service used the same explanation to describe why charges against murdered Special Branch agent Denis Donaldson were mysteriously dropped.
Since declaring a ceasefire in 1994, the UVF has killed 29 people, the majority of whom were Protestants.
Special Branch informers are understood to have taken part in more than half these murders.
Raymond McCord Sr, whose son was beaten to death by UVF/Special Branch informers in 1997, accused the PSNI of a “cover up” and deliberately withholding information.
He said: “The PSNI is doing all it can to protect the UVF agents who committed these murders. They talk about public interest, but the only people who don’t want details like these getting out are the PSNI and British government.
“They are terrified of people finding out the truth. Hundreds of people have been questioned about these murders, but only two people have been charged,” added Mr McCord.
“What does that tell you? It tells me either the police cannot do their job properly or the UVF men responsible are being protected.”
Mr McCord also revealed PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde had turned down a request for a meeting to discuss the murder of his son, Raymond McCord Jnr.
The campaigning father said he would confront Mr Orde at the next public meeting of the Policing Board.
Mr McCord wants to know why no one has been charged with his son’s murder.
