THE PSNI is to investigate claims made by a former British soldier about the Real IRA murder of David Caldwell.
The 51-year-old was killed after he picked up a bomb concealed in a lunch box at a Territorial Army base in Derry in August 2002.
In the book Charlie One former soldier Sean Hartnett (not his real name) claimed the bombers were under close surveillance in the days leading up to the attack.
The Irish News reported in September how the book alleged that despite near blanket surveillance, they managed to give undercover soldiers the slip and transport the deadly device from the Republic to its target.
In the wake of the claims calls were made for the police investigation to be re-opened and the PSNI has now confirmed that a review is to take place.
In a letter sent to DUP MP Gregory Campbell, the PSNI said the book's content is "undoubtedly alarming"for Mr Caldwell's family.
"PSNI Legacy Investigation Branch is currently considering whether other material exists which together with the book may create an investigative line of enquiry."
No timescale is given by police for this work, with "more than 1,000 cases" currently within the remit of the Legacy Investigation Branch according to police.
The PSNI also stated that since the original investigation into the 2002 murder the case had been reviewed by officers from the Serious Crime Review Team but "no further opportunities were found to exist at that time".
"The PSNI remains committed to bringing to justice, those offenders who were involved in Mr Caldwell's murder."
A former UDR member who left the regiment in 1985, Mr Caldwell had been carrying out construction work at the unmanned army site when he was killed.
Speaking in September, his daughter Gillian McFaul told the Irish News that her father's death could have been prevented.
“We’re annoyed and shocked that none of this ever came out before. It didn’t come out at the inquest and we knew nothing of this. They told us nothing; they just kept saying they were keeping the case open," she said.
“I feel angry and hurt at them (security forces). My father’s murder could have been prevented. It also opens up old wounds."
In October, members of David Caldwell's family met First Minister Arlene Foster and the Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt to discuss questions raised by the book.
