Searches over 'PSNI corruption'

Contract related to armour plating of police vehicles

Police investigating alleged corruption within the PSNI have carried out a number of searches at police buildings and at some houses.

The searches are linked to an ongoing probe into a contract to supply armour-plating for police vehicles.

Earlier this month, a judge said there was evidence someone in the PSNI had "deliberately undermined" a firm which had lost the contract to a rival.

An outside expert is advising the police on the criminal investigation.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde briefed the Policing Board following the legal action over a cancelled contract for vehicle armour-plating.

Sir Hugh said he took the court case "extremely seriously".

In the High Court action, Northern Ireland Sheet Metal Works Ltd was awarded £400,000 in damages.

The Belfast-based company took an action for breach of contract after Firth Rixson Castings Ltd was awarded the contract, at an extra cost of £350,000.

High Court judge Sir Liam McCollum said once legal costs had been taken into account, the wasteful loss of public funds was in the region of £1m.