The SDLP leader Mr Mark Durkan today backed the Northern Ireland police ombudsman's call for an outside officer to head the Omagh bomb investigation.
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Mr Mark Durkan |
He insisted Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan's decision to install an independent figure in an advisory role was not enough.
"As a citizen, as public representative and as leader of the SDLP I'm making very clear my assessment that somebody from outside should be appointed to lead the investigation," he said.
Ms Nuala O’Loan's report on the investigation into the August 1998 bombing which killed 29 people recommended a team headed by a senior officer independent of the PSNI be set up.
However, Sir Ronnie rejected this suggestion and said Superintendent Brian McArthur, the former deputy senior investigating officer who has been running the inquiry for the last 18 months, is to remain in control.
He instead announced plans to draft in a senior Merseyside detective in an advisory role with unrestricted access as part of moves to "quality assure" the investigation.
However, Mr Durkan claimed this would not be enough to remove the widespread uncertainty which has been cast over the inquiry.
"I don't believe that that is going to be sufficient to meet the confidence gap that is there," he said.
"It is a confidence gap that doesn't just extend to the families of Omagh but more widely in the community," he said.
PA