The Police Association, which represents all ranks in the PSNI, has reacted angrily to the leaking of affidavits by senior officers. The affidavits relate to the Omagh bombing inquiry.
The sworn statements, details of which were published in yesterday's Irish Times, contradict both the official police report on the Omagh inquiry which was drawn up in response to Mrs Nuala O'Loan's scathing criticisms, and an affidavit from Mr Raymond White, the former head of both Special and Crime Branches.
Mr Alan McQuillan and Mr Sam Kinkaid both say that the Omagh investigation was not run by them, but from the top, with the former Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and Mr White effectively in control.
The Police Association says in a statement it is a matter of regret that details of the conflicting affidavits appeared publicly rather than in the High Court, where its appeal for a judicial review of the Ombudsman's report is to be heard.
The association claims that Mrs O'Loan acted unfairly towards its members by criticising them without allegedly "giving them the chance to comment or point out the numerous gross inaccuracies in her report".
It further claims that the Ombudsman has concentrated on what it calls "one peripheral matter of detail", meaning specifically the leadership of the Omagh investigation.
But the statement adds that the association "is in possession of evidence, which will be presented to the court, which clearly demonstrates the factual inaccuracy on even this issue".
Speculation was rising yesterday that a fourth affidavit from another senior officer could be forthcoming. It is thought that this would support the claims already made by Mr McQuillan and Mr Kinkaid.