An undercover British soldier questioned after an RUC man was shot and critically wounded in north Belfast has been released on bail. It is believed she is a member of the 14 Intelligence Company.
She was held after the RUC officer was hit in the chest in a bungled undercover operation in the Crumlin Road area on Wednesday. The soldier, dressed in civilian clothes, was in an unmarked car being chased by a police patrol when she crashed at Carlisle Circus. As officers approached, several shots were fired. An inquiry has been set up into the incident.
It is understood the RUC patrol believed she was a car thief trying to escape. The RUC man remains critically ill in hospital.
He was with at least two other uniformed colleagues. It is understood the soldier was on surveillance duty as part of an attempt to thwart further sectarian attacks in the city. Loyalists have killed two Catholics in shootings in the past three weeks.
The RUC Assistant Chief Constable, Mr Bill Stewart, appointed a senior detective to head the investigation. He said there were very strict guidelines governing police and military operations which were designed to prevent such situations.
The Ulster Unionists' security spokesman, Mr Ken Maginnis, said it was vital that undercover security operations did not become confused and he urged that procedures be tightened up. "I know from experience how difficult it is to operate uniformed people and undercover agents at the same time."
Belfast Sinn Fein councillor Mr Alex Maskey described the shooting as "sinister" and demanded that the British government explain the circumstances surrounding it.