SF calls on PSNI to end informer pressure

Sinn Fein has backed the case of a Derry republican who complained that British intelligence agencies had been “relentless” in their efforts to recruit him as an informer.

The man, who does not wish to be named, said he believes that MI5 agents are interested in him because of his friendship with a leading dissident republican.

The Derry man, a former prisoner, said a greeting card was posted to his house this week containing a handwritten message asking for his help and instructions to contact a mobile phone number, which was also included.

in December, the same man received a similar card, which also contained a mobile phone number, and a gift voucher for a local toy shop. The voucher was given to charity.

The man said that he had to collect the card from the Post Office and pay for it because whoever posted it originally did not attach the correct stamp.

“I received a notice through my door telling me there was an item of post for me to collect at the Post Office. When I picked it up I had to pay 1.08 because not enough postage had been attached. My name and address on the envelope was written in the same handwriting as the one I got before Christmas.

“Inside was a phone number of what I believe to be an MI5 agent. They have been relentless in trying to get me to work for them,” he said.

The man brought the card to a lawyer who contacted the telephone number and said it went to an answer-phone message left by someone with an English accent calling himself ‘Ken.’ The number in the previous card also went to an similar message.

Local Sinn Fein representative Martina Anderson said she has raised the man’s case with the head of the PSNI.

“I have met the man concerned and there are obvious issues of concern. I will be raising this issue directly with Matt Baggott to express my concern,” she said.

Urgent Appeal