Published Date: 21.03.2006

The Police Ombudsman's Office has this afternoon released the following statement regarding a police investigation into allegations against a number of its staff.

"The police have launched an investigation into criminal allegations made by a member of staff at the Police Ombudsman's Office against a number of his colleagues.

The allegations concern four members of staff and a former employee of the Office.

They relate to a court case arising from the discharge of a firearm by a police officer in Newtownabbey in June 2001. 

The four staff are at both senior and junior levels within the Police Ombudsman's Office. The allegations do not involve the Police Ombudsman herself.

A spokesman for the Office said: "We welcome a thorough police investigation of this matter and will co-operate fully with their enquiries."

ENDS