03/03/2008

MI5 Warned Police Over Murder Plot

An MI5 agent has revealed how he warned police about the plot to kill LVF leader, Billy Wright.

Speaking at an inquiry into the killing, the agent said he had told police of the plan eight months before Wright was shot by the INLA in the Maze prison in 1997.

The inquiry heard the INLA had formulated the plan because of a proposal to move Wright into the H-block Six part of the prison occupied by them. It was at this stage the agent had warned his handler of the plan to assassinate Billy Wright.

The agent said he believed the INLA would most likely use a hypodermic syringe filled with poison to execute the notorious LVF leader.

Wright, 37, was shot dead by three INLA prisoners in the Maze Prison on 27 December 1997.

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy announced the public inquiry into Wright's killing in November 2004 following revelations of security force collusion in his murder.

In November 2005 the Billy Wright Inquiry was converted to an Inquiry to be held under the Inquiries Act 2005 after a campaign by Billy Wright's father.

The government agreed to set it up following the recommendations of retired Canadian Judge Peter Cory.

(DW/JM)


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