Statement released by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) about the alleged IRA spy ring at Stormont in October 2002, (8 December 2005)

Statement released by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) following the withdrawal of prosecutions in connection with an alleged IRA spy ring at Stormont in October 2002, (8 December 2005)

"We note that, taking into account the facts and information presented to him by the police and his duties as a public authority under the Human Rights Act, the DPP considers that prosecution in this case is no longer in the public interest. This is solely a matter for the prosecuting authorities and not for the NIO.

We note also what the police have said: that they have not changed their assessment that [the PIRA] was actively involved in the systematic gathering of information from Government offices and the targeting of individuals.

While this case is not now proceeding, let us be mindful of the fact that the police operation mounted in response led to the recovery of thousands of sensitive documents that had been removed from Government offices.

It is also a matter of record that it was the actions of paramilitaries in gathering and removing these documents and the damage that was done to political confidences as a result that led to the suspension of the NI Assembly.

The Government is determined that confidence will be rebuilt and that devolved Government in NI will be restored. It will continue to work tirelessly to achieve that goal."