The Chief Constable of the PSNI, Mr Hugh Orde, was not politically motivated when he relieved a senior Special Branch officer of his position, a report by the Police Ombudsman, Ms Nuala O'Loan found today.
A five-month investigation was launched by the Ombudsman after Mr Bill Lowry claimed he was removed because MI5 feared his inquiries into alleged IRA intelligence-gathering would damage the peace process.
But after a five-month investigation Ms O'Loan found Mr Lowry's claim that the Chief Constable acted unfairly was not substantiated.
Mr Lowry headed the investigation into a break-in at Castlereagh police station and the arrest of a Sinn Féin official at Stormont buildings last year.
He says he was sacked because his inquiries revealed the IRA was in breach of the terms of its ceasefire by continuing operational activities. But when he left the position last November, there were concerns he was involved in the leaking of information about Castlereagh to journalist.
"I felt during the whole operation that I was running into constant pressure from the security services, that it would be better if we didn't take skulls [make arrests], but we just took papers and gave Sinn Fein/IRA a chance to deny involvement," he said last January.
He alleged he was removed after Mr Orde received a mysterious telephone call from London. However, the report rejected the claim.
The report said: "It has been established that the first discussion that the chief constable had with the security service was ... November 14th, and that the contact was instigated by the chief constable.
"By that time a decision had already been made to remove Mr Lowry from his post and that an investigation should take place ... All evidence collected supports these facts and no evidence contradicts it."
Further complaints by Mr Lowry claiming he was unfairly disciplined and unlawfully detentained was also dismissed by the report.
Appointed two years ago over the heads of senior officers in Northern Ireland, Mr Orde was formerly a senior officer with London's Metrolopitan police. He was considered a political appointment in which the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, had a strong influence.
He also headed an investigation into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane whose killers were allegedly assisted by members of the Special Branch.
Mr Lowry hit out today at the report: "I think the investigation leaves a lot to be desired ... The conclusion they came to does not surprise me because this chief constable must be seen to be whiter than white with no black marks."
SDLP policing spokesman on policing, Mr Alex Attwood welcomed the report which he said "overwhelmingly confirms that the Chief Constable and certain senior officers acted properly".
The Northern Ireland Policing Board requested an investigation after based on Mr Lowry's complaints. The Policing Board conducted preliminary inquiries into similar complaints by Mr Lowry against the Acting Deputy Chief Constable, Mr Alan McQuillan, but did not refer those to the Police Ombudsman.
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