Northern Ireland's Policing Board was tonight facing new demands to bring in an outside officer to help take charge of a fresh investigation into the Omagh bomb atrocity.
As the scrutinising body prepared for a crucial meeting to agree on how to take the inquiry forward, relatives of those killed in the August 1998 Real IRA attack insisted a major initiative was need to advance it.
Mr Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among the dead, said: "The investigation needs to be put back on the rails.
"The people involved have had three and a half years and it needs fresh methods."
Mr Gallagher's demand came as four board members met in Belfast to examine their options, including Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's call for a senior officer from another UK force to take over.
Merseyside Chief Superintendent Philip Jones is already in Northern Ireland to advise the officer in charge, Superintendent Brian McArthur.
But according to some sources tonight, the board is believed to be considering calling in another top officer amid demands to end the uncertainty and reassure disillusioned relatives.
SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan urged the board members not to be sidetracked by the public row between Mrs O'Loan and Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
He said: "The focus has to be on the quality of the investigation in the future - I think that is where the Omagh relatives are looking for confidence."
Mr Durkan, who is in Washington in his role as Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive, added: "I think if we try to lash out in other ways at either the ombudsman or the chief constable, I don't think we will be doing full service to the Omagh relatives." The body is under pressure to reach consensus following the bitter clash between the Police Ombudsman and Chief Constable.
In her devastating report into the Omagh bomb investigation, Mrs O'Loan accused Mr Flanagan of flawed and defective leadership - charges angrily denied by the police chief.
PA