Police chiefs who warned up to 200 Special Branch officers of an increased terrorist threat following the raid on a Northern Ireland police station are ploughing massive resources into blaming the IRA, it was claimed today.
Senior Sinn Fein figure Mr Gerry Kelly flagged up the potentially huge costs involved in the fresh risk assessment carried out after intelligence files were stolen from the high-security Castlereagh complex.
Although security sources are adamant that the Provisionals masterminded the raid, North Belfast MLA Mr Kelly said: "It's just an addition to the smokescreen, and a very very expensive one."
"If they are not bluffing and they are going to step up security then it's staggering. We have already been told these Special Branch are high risk, so how high can this get?"
Mr Kelly's comments came as former Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said the warning to Special Branch officers was deeply concerning.
"It's bad news but we have given our officers advice as to how they should enhance their personal security," he told the BBC1 Breakfast With Frostprogramme.
"They are very sensible officers and there will certainly be no sense of panic, but it's not good news."
Highly sensitive documents, including details on informants and their police handlers, were snatched from a Special Branch office during last month's St Patrick's night robbery at the east Belfast police station.
It is understood that details on the ranks, names and telephone numbers of Special Branch personnel were taken by the three men who breached security and overpowered a lone officer then rifled through drawers and cabinets.
After a series of police swoops in Belfast and Derry saw nine people arrested the IRA was dramatically linked to the break-in.
It is understood that almost 200 Special Branch officers have now been briefed about the stolen papers.
They have been warned to take extra measures to ensure their safety.
But a source added: "There is no question of them having to move house."
Republicans have angrily denied the allegations, pointing out that eight of those detained were released without charge.
One of the nine has been remanded in custody after being accused of having information likely to be useful to terrorism - but that charge does not relate to the files stolen from Castlereagh.
Detectives have also travelled to the United States to question a former chef at the police station.
Sinn Fein has called on British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair to step in and call off the searches on republican houses, claiming they are being scapegoated for an act carried out by shadowy intelligence agencies.
Referring to the increased risk warnings Mr Kelly added: "Special Branch are not going to get any sympathy from nationalists. It's just a con job."
PA