Kincora boys home abuse probe ‘stopped by MI5’

A former Army Intelligence officer who worked in Northern Ireland during the 70s has told of how his investigation into allegations of abuse at the Kincora boys’ home was blocked by MI5.

Brian Gemmell, whose work involved gathering intelligence on loyalists, claimed he found out about the abuse through two sources, including an agent called Royal Flush.

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Gemmel said that he was told to ditch the investigation into abuse at the boys’ home by a senior MI5 officer.

Mr Gemmell said: “I was summoned to go and see him (the MI5 officer). I went up thinking he was going to be pleased with me.”

“He bawled me out. He was rude and offensive and hostile.”

“He told me not just to stop any investigation into Kincora, but to drop Royal Flush.”

He added that the investigation into Kincora should be reopened, stating: “I think there’s more hope than there has been in the past. Although there’s not a lot, there is more than in the past.”

Mr Gemmell’s claim comes as calls for a full investigation into the allegations of abuse at the home intensify.

Three senior members of staff at the home were jailed back in 1981 for the abuse of 11 boys.