A drive to recruit “intelligence officers” with knowledge of “Northern Ireland Terrorism” has been described as a “spookfest” by a relatives’ campaign group.
The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) was set up under the British government’s Legacy Act and has responsibility for investigating all legacy cases transferred to it last month.
Many victims, and relatives of those who died during the Troubles, are strongly opposed to the ICRIR, believing it is part of British government attempts to shield state participants from accountability.
The chief commissioner of the new body is former Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, while ex-senior police officer Peter Sheridan heads its investigations.
The new body has recently advertised for four “intelligence officers” who will work within an Intelligence Unit.
Essential criteria includes “significant and recent knowledge and experience of working within a sensitive and confidential intelligence environment”.
The successful candidates must also “possess a track record of intelligence and information management” and have an understanding of the National Intelligence Model”.
Desirable criteria includes “knowledge of Northern Ireland Terrorism”.
However, there is no mention of state security agencies, including police, MI5 and British military intelligence.
State forces have been linked to collusion, including the murder of Catholics and nationalists, by various Police Ombudsman and other reports.
In recent months several inquests had to be abandoned after state bodies, including the PSNI and MI5, withheld vital information from coroners.
The new ICRIR officers must have knowledge of “intelligence computer operating systems” and other systems including the PSNI C3 database.
The force’s C3 intelligence unit was formerly known as ‘Special Branch’.
Potential candidates have been told that secondments from other organisations will be considered for the post, that will be split across the commission’s Belfast and London offices.
Mark Thompson, of Relatives for Justice (RFJ), said the recruitment process places the British government in control of information.
“The British government hold all the cards; they determine who internally within the ICRIR gets access to intelligence and what is permitted to be released,” he said.
Mr Thompson added that those “who have been to the forefront in thwarting ombudsman investigations, inquests and civil cases” would be in a good position to apply for the posts.
“It’s a spookfest that will most definitely not serve the interests of accountable justice.”
Last week RFJ urged families not to engage with the “ICRIR and to await the outcome of the British general election in order to maximise this opportunity in the broader interests of all victims”.
An ICRIR spokesperson said: “We welcome all feedback and the opportunity to engage and continue dialogue "
