The PSNI did take reasonable measures to protect the life of a man acquitted of charges connected to the Pat Finucane murder, the Police Ombudsman has found.
The office of Mrs Nuala O'Loan confirmed to The Irish Times last night that, following an investigation, it has found that police did take the proper steps to guard Mr William Stobie, who was murdered by the Red Hand Defenders, a cover name for the Ulster Defence Association, in December 2001.
Mrs O'Loan had been investigating a complaint made by Mr Stobie's partner that police left him at risk following his court appearance. Mr Stobie was a quartermaster for the UDA and also an RUC Special Branch informer.
He had faced accusations of aiding and abetting the murder of solicitor Mr Pat Finucane in February 1989, but the case against him was thrown out.
The Police Ombudsman's investigation concluded that Mr Stobie had been told of an increased threat to his life and advised to move less than two weeks before he was murdered.
Mrs O'Loan also found that he was warned on December 2nd 2001 by police officers that they had received a phone call that his life was under threat. Patrols in the area of north Belfast where Mr Stobie lived were subsequently stepped up.
However, a source at the Ombudsman's office confirmed that Mr Stobie had not acted on the police advice and remained at his Forthriver address.
Investigators also found that police files contain evidence that Mr Stobie's safety had been underwritten by assurances from a senior loyalist figure, possibly Mr Johnny Adair, who is now back in Maghaberry prison.