§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Attorney-General whether the reports of either Mr. Colin Sampson or Mr. John Stalker to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland recommended prosecution of any members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary with regard to the illegal killings of any persons; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs is the usual practice with police reports covering criminal investigations, neither the report by Mr. John Stalker nor the report by Mr. Colin Sampson will be published. I remind the hon. Member, however, of the following passage in the statement I made to the House on 25 January 1988
In regard to the shooting incidents to which I have referred, the Director has considered all the facts and information ascertained and reported by Mr. Stalker and Mr. Sampson, and he has re-examined the original RUC investigation files. He has concluded that the evidence does not warrant any further prosecution in respect of the shootings which occurred on 11 November 1982 and 12 December 1982 and which have already been the subject of prosecutions. He has further concluded that the evidence does not warrant any prosecution in respect of either the fatal shooting or the wounding that occurred on 24 November 1982. I have considered the Director's conclusions and I agree with them. He has given directions accordingly."—(Official Report, 25 January 1988; Vol. 126, c. 22.]
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Attorney-General whether his statement in relation to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland's decision not to prosecute Royal Ulster Constabulary officers for allegedly perverting the course of justice was based on the findings of inquiries prior to, as well as during, the course of the Stalker-Sampson investigations; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 25 January. The Director considered all the facts and information ascertained and reported by Mr. Stalker and Mr. Sampson, he re-examined 771W the original RUC investigation files and his conclusions were reached in the light of all the facts and information brought to his notice.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Attorney-General whether forensic evidence discovered during the course of inquiries by Mr. John Stalker and Mr. Colin Sampson was made available to the courts during any prosecution of persons for unlawful killing; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralTrials of members of the RUC took place in March 1984 and May 1984. Mr. Stalker was appointed to conduct his investigation on 24 May 1984 and Mr. Stalker's interim report was furnished to the chief constable on 18 September 1985. Accordingly any evidence elicited by the investigation team headed by Mr. Stalker and Mr. Sampson was not available to the courts during the prosecutions referred to.