British agent dies of 'natural causes'

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday April 12, 2003 22:16 by Ailin

It has emerged tonight that a British agent at the centre of alleged security force collusion with loyalist paramilitary killers in the North, has died of natural causes.

Security sources have confirmed that Brian Nelson, who was living at a secret location in England, suffered a heart attack two weeks ago.

Mr Nelson was a former Ulster Defence Association head of information, recruited by military intelligence at the height of the Troubles.

One of the targets for assassination he compiled a dossier on, was Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, who was shot dead by UDA gunmen in February 1989.

His death comes as the British Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, prepares to publish a major new report on the killing and claims of police and army conspiracy with loyalists.