The author of the Police Ombudsman's report which was highly critical of the RUC's handling of the Omagh bombing is to leave Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman's Office last night confirmed that senior investigator Martin Bridger, above, is to leave his job as director of investigations at Nuala O'Loan's office to return to London.
Mr Bridger had been the key investigating detective behind the ombudsman's report into the RUC's investigation into the Omagh bomb investigation.
In December 2001 the ombudsman's report caused controversy when it accused then chief constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan of "defective leadership, poor judgment and a lack of urgency" into the Omagh inquiry.
Mr Bridger's report was also highly critical of the RUC Special Branch for its failure to pass on information to police in Omagh about a warning of a gun and bomb attack due to take place in the town on August 15.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan died in the 1998 Real IRA bomb attack, described Martin Bridger as the man who fought hardest to get the truth for the families of the Omagh victims.
"There is no question that Martin Bridger was the main person that pushed for the truth to come out about Omagh," Mr Gallagher said.
"Martin was very brave in that some things he said and did were not very popular among certain elements of the RUC.
"His overriding loyalty was to the families who lost loved ones in Omagh and we were very lucky to have someone of his capabilities fighting to get the truth for us.
"I firmly believe that if we hadn't had the ombudsman's office and Martin Bridger we would never have learned the truth about Omagh.
"The families of those who died in Claudy and in the Dublin/Monaghan bombings were not as fortunate as us.
"He was the person who managed to deliver the real truth to the families about what really happened on that day in Omagh when others did not want the truth to come out.
"We are very grateful to Martin Bridger for all that he did for us." A spokesman for the ombudsman's office said that Mr Bridger was returning to the Metropolitan Police after a two-year secondment to Nuala O'Loan's office and that an announcement about his replacement was expected in the near future.
