HET boss Dave Cox is to quit his post at the end of this month

‘WAKING The Dead’ boss Dave Cox will step down from his role, it has been announced on Thursday.

Confusion has reigned for weeks about his future as the head of the Historical Enquiries Team which is looking at over 3,200 Troubles-related deaths.

His position has been in doubt since a damning report by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC) into the way HET reviewed killings by members of the British Army, including covert military units.

The Policing Board felt Mr Cox, a former commander in the Metropolitan Police, should fall on his sword and quit.

However, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott had stoutly defended Mr Cox’s role at HET and wanted him to stay until the end of the year.

But Policing Board members made it clear last week during a heated discussion with Mr Baggott that Mr Cox had to go and no later than the end of September.

And if that didn’t happen, then his own position as chief constable could be called into question.

Then the following day, Policing Board members received an email informing them that Mr Cox would leave his post at the end of September.

The email, addressed to policing board members, stated: “The director of policy has asked me to inform you that the Chief Constable has confirmed this afternoon that both Dave Cox and Paul Johnston will leave their posts in the HET at the end of this month.”

But last Saturday more confusion reigned when PSNI sources insisted that was not the case.

Now on Thursday, the Policing Board has been told that Mr Cox will step down from his role on Saturday, September 28.

For the next two weeks, he will have work in an advisory role with the HET.

“The new leadership team will take over on September, 28, 2013.”

The HET will now be headed up by a chief superintendent and a superintendent from the PSNI.