Newly released documents show the UK government and its army covered up state-sponsored right wing terrorism for more than 35 years in Northern Ireland.
The documents revealed that British army units of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) supported and financed right-wing Loyalist paramilitaries in Belfast, the Socialist Worker reported.
The Pat Finucane Centre and Detail website have unearthed secret government papers showing how loyalist paramilitaries heavily infiltrated the UDR's Belfast battalion in the late 1970s. At least 70 soldiers on one base were linked to a loyalist terror group, according to the report.
The “10” UDR battalion was based in Belfast, with its D and G companies at Girdwood barracks in the north of the city, the report said.
In July 1977, the report added, a routine audit uncovered a major fraud aimed at siphoning off tens of thousands of pounds for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) paramilitaries.
Investigators estimated that the fraud amounted to between £30,000 and £47,000-the equivalent of up to £200,000 in 2011.
One female clerk told investigators that an unnamed UDR soldier had ordered her to hand over £300 each month to the UVF-or her daughter would be targeted.
Equipment stolen from another UDR unit on the same base was being used to equip the UVF. Some soldiers were also “borrowing” army weapons to carry out criminal activities.
“There appears to have been theft of stores over a considerable period. There are indications that equipment stolen has been passed to the UVF”, stated one secret report.
“The general impression gained is that, 'D' and 'G' [companies] are the supply and financial support elements for local paramilitary organisations”, according to investigators.
“As a result of a current, but minor, investigation it was revealed that certain SNCOs (senior non commissioned officers) had been involved or were involved in paramilitary activities”, says another memo.
“A review was carried out of security investigation/ incidents involving the unit during the past six months and this, coupled with additional source information produced a list of about seventy members of the unit with paramilitary traces. This figure has since grown”, the memo added.
The investigation revealed that paramilitaries were allowed to socialise in the unit's mess inside the army base.
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