THE PUBLIC inquiry team investigating the loyalist murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson has lost a computer disk containing personal information.
Investigators examining the death of Ms Nelson (40) said a police investigation had been launched into the disappearance of the disk but they said it was believed the material was not stolen.
A spokesperson for the panel said: "The inquiry deeply regrets this serious breach of secure data handling protocols within the inquiry.
"Immediate steps have been taken to avoid any recurrence and a comprehensive review of all aspects of data handling has been initiated.
"The inquiry is determined that the incident should not in any way compromise or impede its investigation into the circumstances of the death of Rosemary Nelson."
The disk went missing on May 6th. Ms Nelson died after a booby-trap bomb left by loyalists exploded under her car in March 1999. Retired judge Sir Michael Morland is chairing a three-strong panel examining alleged security force collusion in the murder by the Red Hand Defenders.
Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward said: "The government has made clear to the inquiry its grave concerns about the breach of the detailed agreement it has with the inquiry on the handling of data.
"As soon as we were made aware of the loss, the government instituted all necessary steps to meet its obligations." -