Material gathered as part of an investigation into security force collusion on both sides of the Border was seized and destroyed by MI5, according to a BBC documentary to be broadcast this evening.
The latest episode of Spotlight on the Troubles: A Secret History reveals that hard drives were taken from the London offices of the retired Canadian Supreme Court judge Peter Cory in 2002 by members of MI5 “in the interests of National Security”.
These were “wiped clean and returned” by MI5, said presenter Mandy McAuley. MI5 explained it had been concerned the inquiry’s computer systems were insecure and a leak could endanger informers. Judge Cory had kept backup copies of the material, and did not believe any information had ultimately been lost as a result of the raid.
Judge Cory had been appointed earlier that year to lead an investigation into allegations of security force collusion into a number of high-profile murders, including the loyalist killing of solicitor Pat Finucane in 1989.
He later recommended an independent public inquiry be held into the murder of Mr Finucane.
Global News 
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