HC Deb 16 June 1999 vol 333 c140W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what period after 15 March, the Royal Ulster Constabulary telephone hotline number which any potential witnesses to the murder of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson were urged to call was unstaffed; and for what reasons. [85453]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 25 May 1999]A contact line was established in March. A separate hotline was set up on 9 April following the arrival of Mr. Port. I understand that, where possible, it is manned during office hours, which are normally 0900 to 1700. The line is answered by non-RUC officers. Outside these hours the hotline works on an answering machine.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the involvement of officers of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in respect of the inquiry into the murder of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson. [85451]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 25 May 1999]The RUC have advised that, on the day Mrs. Nelson was murdered, the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary contacted the Director of the FBI, who agreed to offer the Bureau's investigative expertise. As a result, a number of experienced agents arrived from the United States of America. They brought expertise in investigating acts of terrorism, including major case management. As the FBI's Legal Attaché, John Guido said on 12 AprilThe FBI arrived fully prepared to provide as much assistance as they could by offering suggestions on investigative strategy, evidence collection and data management. Frankly, we found the RUC to be well prepared to handle the investigation.

They were in Northern Ireland from 20 March to 16 April and noted that a very dedicated and professional inquiry team had been assembled to bring the killers of Mrs. Nelson to justice. Mr. Guido also said that the FBI had confidence that all appropriate lines of inquiry were being pursued and that the greatest chance of success lay with the RUC continuing the investigation. The FBI continue in an advisory role and there is regular contact with Mr. Port's team.