New legal move on Hamill inquiry

Robert Hamill was attacked by a loyalist mob in 1997

A legal move by ex-RUC officers who want anonymity when giving evidence at an inquiry into a Portadown man's death has been referred to the High Court.

The House of Lords ruled on Tuesday that a Belfast court must decide on the matter.

Robert Hamill, a 25-year-old Catholic, died in hospital after being attacked by a loyalist mob in Portadown in 1997.

Police denied eye witness allegations that four RUC officers in a Land Rover saw what happened and didn't intervene.

No-one has been convicted over Mr Hamill's death.

The Robert Hamill Inquiry had appealed to the House of Lords against a decision to grant a judicial review of its refusal to offer the police officers anonymity.

Twenty ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary officers have been called as witnesses to the inquiry.

The retired officers claimed they would be in fear for their lives if identified and have fought a decision by inquiry chairman Sir Edwin Jowitt's team that they appear unscreened.

The independent inquiry was recommended by Canadian ex-judge Peter Cory, tasked to probe alleged security force collusion north and south of the Border.