Denis Murray reports on the allegations of collusion

Bobby Philpott, who was a member of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, told a BBC television programme that the organisation relied on the RUC, British Army and Ulster Defence Regiment for its campaign during the Troubles.

Interviewed for the BBC's Loyalists documentary series, Mr Philpott said photographs of republicans were handed over to help identify targets for attack.

Bobby Philpott was a member of the UFF

He said his organisation knew where suspects lived, what type of cars they drove, the "safe" houses they used and even the colour of their socks and jumpers.

As nationalist politicians intensified demands for an independent inquiry into Mr Philpott's claims, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said: "If anybody has such evidence, of course, they should present it.

"We will be examining very carefully what Mr Philpott had to say. We will be speaking to Mr Philpott to see if he has been involved, he can present any evidence or indeed if there is any evidence in relation to his involvement in what he's described."

Inquiry demands

The new allegations of police and military collusion have heightened nationalist demands for a full-scale inquiry into collusion between the security forces and loyalist paramilitaries.

The UK Government is already under pressure to order an independent judicial inquiry into the murder 10 years ago of Belfast solicitor Pat Finnucane.

He was shot by loyalist gunmen and it has been alleged by some people close to him that British military intelligence was involved in the murder.

A widow of one Catholic father shot dead by loyalists also demanded an explanation.

Maura McDaid's husband Terry was hit seven times by two masked gunmen in front of his family in the living room of their Belfast home in May, 1989.

He was gunned down, apparently the victim of mistaken identity, even though the security forces had been alerted by British intelligence agent Brian Nelson of an imminent attack.

She said: "My children are entitled to know why their daddy was killed.

"It totally shocks me that they ever let it happen, that they could be responsible for handing out names and addresses for people to be murdered.

"How can we say that this is law and order?"

But an inquiry in 1989 led by then Deputy Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, John Stevens, found "no institutionalised collusion" between security forces and the paramilitaries.

The RUC said on Thursday that there was no evidence to support allegations of official collusion.