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January 22, 2007

Police "colluded" with Loyalist murders in Northern Ireland

While the bloodshed in Iraq continues, UK news has provided a reminder of a more 'old fashioned' type of terrorism. Nuala O'Loan - Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland - has reported that:

Special Branch officers gave [Ulster Volunteer Force] killers immunity...The officers ensured the murderers were not caught and even "baby-sat" them during police interviews to help them avoid incriminating themselves.

The Special Branch officers "created false notes" and blocked searches for UVF weapons.

British troops are often praised for their skills in 'stability operations' in urban terrain. However, it's worth remembering that many of these skills were gained by serving in Northern Ireland during the troubles there. There are many aspects of the troubles in Northern Ireland - and the army and police responses to these troubles - that we would definitely not want to export to Iraq.

Posted by jon_mendel at January 22, 2007 07:11 PM

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