March 18 1974
Chief Constable Mr Jamie Flanagan last night defended the RUC against “false allegations” that an organisation called “For Ulster” had infiltrated the police and were in a position to cause a mutiny if the security forces moved in strength against the Protestant community.
An article published in a cross-channel newspaper claimed that “For Ulster” members had secured important positions within the security forces.
Mr Flanagan said considerable publicity had been given to reports which, if they had any basis of truth, would reflect on the integrity of the RUC.
“I deeply regret this publicity because I am satisfied that the allegations are unfounded and unworthy,” Mr Flanagan added. They do a great injustice to the dedicated body of policemen and women who, day by day, are risking and sacrificing their lives on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland.
“The police deserve better than to be made the victims of false allegations. The RUC are doing a difficult and dangerous job with impartiality and determination and they will go on performing their duties in this manner. I know my force, I completely and utterly reject these allegations.”
The RUC continuously had to fend off allegations of rogue elements within its ranks as well as collusion with loyalist paramilitaries.
SDLP ‘Wreckers’ in Mid-Ulster
Sir – With the elections over and the results in the north being studied by many across the whole political spectrum, at least one lesson has been learned (except by those who do not wish to know) – that the SDLP have emerged as the real wreckers in the Mid-Ulster constituency.
They truly fulfilled one of their Sunningdale obligations: they did what they were told to do, “Get in and split the vote”, “Stifle whatever voice of revolution that is there”. This they did, even down to the harassment of voters in many areas.
For them to field a candidate in Mid-Ulster against Mrs [Bernadette] McAliskey (who had the support of the Republican Clubs) proved to us all that what the SDLP fear most is the voice of republicanism from whatever mouth it is uttered.