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Force Research Unit
Active
1982–2007
Country
United Kingdom
Branch
British Army
Type
Military intelligence unit
Role
Agent handling Black operation Clandestine human intelligence Clandestine operation Close-quarters combat Counterinsurgency Counterintelligence Countersurveillance Counterterrorism Covert operation Direct action Espionage HUMINT Intelligence assessment ISTAR Military intelligence Raiding Special operations Special reconnaissance Surveillance
Part of
Intelligence Corps
Engagements
Operation Banner (The Troubles)
Military unit
The Force Research Unit (FRU) was a covert military intelligence unit of the British Army's Intelligence Corps. It was established in 1982 during the Troubles to obtain intelligence from terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland by recruiting and running agents and informants.[1] From 1987 to 1991, it was commanded by Gordon Kerr.[2]
It worked alongside existing intelligence agencies including the Special Branch of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and MI5.[1] In 1988, the All-Source Intelligence Cell was formed to improve the sharing of intelligence between the FRU, Special Branch and MI5.[1]
The FRU was renamed to the Joint Support Group(JSG) following the Stevens Inquiries into allegations of collusion between the security forces and Protestant paramilitary groups.[3][4] The FRU was found to have colluded with loyalist paramilitaries by the Stevens Inquiries.[2] This has been confirmed by some former members of the unit.[5]
^ abc"Volume 1 Chapter 3: Intelligence structures Report of the Patrick Finucane Review". Pat Finucane Review. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012.
^ ab"Stevens Inquiry: Key people". BBC News. 17 April 2003. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
^Rayment, Sean (4 February 2007). "Top secret army cell breaks terrorists". The Telegraph. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
^Sharp, Aaron (9 March 2014). "Secret army unit credited with saving THOUSANDS of civilian lives facing chop". Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
^Mackay, Neil (19 November 2000). "My unit conspired in the murder of civilians in Ireland". Sunday Herald. Archived from the original on 27 August 2001.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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Global Information
United Kingdom
British Army