Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said: “The Public Prosecution Service has now considered the evidence and directed ‘no prosecution’ as the investigation did not pass their evidential test. 

“Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the commission of criminal offences it is the duty of police to investigate those matters.  Police will make relevant enquiries, interview those with information, question suspects and, in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, either charge a person or submit a file to the PPS in relation to the investigation. This procedure was followed in this case.

“This was an extremely complex and challenging investigation and the difficulties that police encountered have been fully acknowledged by the Public Prosecution Service. I want to echo the comments of the PPS on the high standard of the police investigation. I also want to place on record my thanks to the independent investigation team from West Midlands & Greater Manchester Police for the professional and thorough investigation they conducted.

“The delays in progressing the case were beyond the control of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the independently-led investigation team. Police of course have a duty to impartially investigate all potential crime without fear or favour and in accordance with the law and we are committed to doing so.  I have full confidence that those duties were discharged in this investigation.

“Prosecutorial decisions are made independently by the Public Prosecution Service and it would be inappropriate to comment further other than to reiterate the Police Service's commitment to treat everyone equally before the law.”