The FBI has said it believes the RUC is conducting a "thorough investigation" into the murder of solicitor Ms Rosemary Nelson. The agency's legal attache, Mr John Guido, yesterday said he had been "greatly impressed" by the efforts of RUC officers.
A press conference was held at RUC Headquarters in Belfast yesterday to report on the progress of the murder inquiry headed by Mr Colin Port, the Assistant Chief Constable of Norfolk. The FBI was drafted in to aid the investigation.
Mr Guido said that the FBI had been afforded access to every facet of the investigative process from the outset.
Mr Port has assembled a team of 50 officers from forces other than the RUC to investigate the killing. The RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, brought in outside officers because of complaints by Ms Nelson before her death that RUC officers had made threats against her life.
Mr Port said that some people had been reluctant to come forward with evidence about Ms Nelson's murder. "I appeal to these persons and organisations to come forward and assist me in this investigation. Indeed, without the assistance of the whole community, it will be all the harder for my team to bring those responsible to justice."
A motion on the murder of Ms Nelson is to be tabled on Thursday in the European Parliament by Ms Bernie Malone, the Dublin Labour MEP. The resolution demands that the inquiry into her death be conducted by a fully independent team of investigators as a guarantee of objectivity.