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20/01/2009
Flanagan 'Unaware' Of Nelson Special Branch Files
Former RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan has told an inquiry into the death of Rosemary Nelson that he had no knowledge of any Special Branch files on the prominent solicitor, and denied ever referring to her as a 'immoral woman'.
Mr Flanagan told the hearing he was surprised to learn security files had been kept on Ms Nelson, who was murdered by loyalists almost 10 years ago.
Questions have been raised over possible security force collusion in the 40-year-olds' death.
Yesterday, the inquiry opened with a review of Mr Flanagan's police career, during which he was described as a 'hands-on' leader.
Mr Flanagan then went on to discuss his knowledge of Ms Nelson.
He insisted he was not privy to a number of allegations surrounding the solicitor.
Mr Flanagan told the inquiry he way unaware of the tabs special branch officers allegedly kept on Ms Nelson.
When asked whether he had described Ms Nelson as an 'immoral woman', Mr Flanagan said: "Absolutely not."
The former NI police chief denied any recollection of a letter supposedly sent from a US senator to UK officials regarding the threat on Ms Nelson's life, by an RUC officer.
He said he had not been briefed on allegations Ms Nelson was having an affair with a leading IRA terrorist.
Mr Flanagan also claimed he was unaware of security force documents that suggested Ms Nelson was trying to influence a witness in an IRA murder case.
"I am not aware of any files, paper or otherwise, that have been kept on Mrs Nelson. My impression at the time was that Rosemary Nelson was a lawyer who was doing her job," he said.
It was put to Mr Flanagan that Ms Nelson had a Special Branch reference number.
To which he responded: "I would have been surprised that there would."
The inquiry continues.
(PR/JM)
Mr Flanagan told the hearing he was surprised to learn security files had been kept on Ms Nelson, who was murdered by loyalists almost 10 years ago.
Questions have been raised over possible security force collusion in the 40-year-olds' death.
Yesterday, the inquiry opened with a review of Mr Flanagan's police career, during which he was described as a 'hands-on' leader.
Mr Flanagan then went on to discuss his knowledge of Ms Nelson.
He insisted he was not privy to a number of allegations surrounding the solicitor.
Mr Flanagan told the inquiry he way unaware of the tabs special branch officers allegedly kept on Ms Nelson.
When asked whether he had described Ms Nelson as an 'immoral woman', Mr Flanagan said: "Absolutely not."
The former NI police chief denied any recollection of a letter supposedly sent from a US senator to UK officials regarding the threat on Ms Nelson's life, by an RUC officer.
He said he had not been briefed on allegations Ms Nelson was having an affair with a leading IRA terrorist.
Mr Flanagan also claimed he was unaware of security force documents that suggested Ms Nelson was trying to influence a witness in an IRA murder case.
"I am not aware of any files, paper or otherwise, that have been kept on Mrs Nelson. My impression at the time was that Rosemary Nelson was a lawyer who was doing her job," he said.
It was put to Mr Flanagan that Ms Nelson had a Special Branch reference number.
To which he responded: "I would have been surprised that there would."
The inquiry continues.
(PR/JM)
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