The RUC has rejected a Sinn Fein claim that the force was abusing the sub judice rules to stifle media coverage of alleged brutal treatment of people in police custody, reports Deaglan de Breadun, Northern Editor.
Responding to the Sinn Fein claim, the RUC said it was "not in the business of preferring spurious charges against anyone", adding that "very strict procedures relating to the availability of evidence must be followed under the Police and Criminal Evidence legislation".
The Sinn Fein spokeswoman on policing, Ms Bairbre de Brun, said that incidents were reported to Sinn Fein of nationalists being attacked by the RUC and then being charged with offences.