Police chiefs in North said there was no law ‘against telling lies’
John Stalker affair and shoot-to-kill policy cover-up were major topics of conversation
An RUC police officer in riot gear during rioting by loyalists in Belfast. The Irish government said the RUC must not be allowed to “descend to the level and methods of the terrorists”. Photograph: Paul McErlane/Reuters
Senior police chiefs in Northern Ireland during the 1980s said there was no law “against telling lies” when pressed about the suspected cover-up of an alleged shoot-to-kill policy, according to newly-released State files.
In documents marked “Secret”, an Irish diplomat reported back to Dublin about a meeting with his “usual contact” in Belfast, who had sources among paramilitaries, politicians and police.