To the objective, impartial observer, disturbing questions about collusive and corrupt behaviour are raised

The families of the Miami Show Band members gave their reaction to the HET’s report today on the killing of three members in 1975.

In a detailed statement, the survivors of the attack report that the HET concluded:

‘To the objective, impartial observer, disturbing questions about collusive and corrupt behaviour are raised. The HET review has found no means to assuage or rebut these concerns and that is a deeply troubling matter.’

This is in specific reference to evidence relating to Robin Jackson, as they outline in the statement:

The most alarming HET finding concerns the involvement of Robin Jackson, aka “The Jackal”, a notorious UVF member. Jackson was arrested at an early stage in the enquiry, but was released without charge. The HET review found disturbing evidence that Jackson was tipped-off in May 1976 that his fingerprints had been found on a silencer attached to the Luger pistol used in the Miami murders. Jackson claimed that two RUC officers, one a Detective Superintendent, had advised him, in Jackson’s words: ‘to clear as there was a wee job up the country that he would be done for’.

Again, though, with the reference to “collusive and corrupt behaviour” the emphasis in the conclusions is on this elusive determination of collusion, a non-specific crime, rather than the very specific activities of a Detective Superintendent which *presumably* are now being considered by the DPP. But then again, who would want to create a narrative that has the state, and it’s agents involved in murder?

Indeed, how could anyone wish for that?