PSNI workers suspended in probe

Contract related to armour plating of police vehicles

The PSNI has suspended two civilian employees as part of a probe into alleged corruption.

It is understood the suspensions are linked to an investigation into a contract to supply armour-plating for police vehicles.

Last 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.

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.