Former ACC Duncan McCausland released from police custody on Thursday night

FORMER PSNI ACC Duncan McCausland has been released this evening from police custody.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch had been granted more time to quiz the 54-year-old earlier in the evening.

He was released just before 9 pm this evening and a file is being sent to the Public Proseuction Service for consideration.

Mr McMcCausland denies all the allegations and stressed he wanted to attend voluntary but felt there was no need to arrest him.

The 54-year-old was arrested on Tuesday along with five other people from Northern Ireland and England over allegations of bribery and corruption.

He spent two nights at the serious crime suite in Antrim being questioned.

A 37 year old member of police staff arrested as part of the investigation into the awarding of a number of PSNI vehicle contracts has been released pending a report being sent to the PPS.

He has been suspended from duty.

Detectives have this evening been granted varying periods of additional time to continue to question four other men arrested on Tuesday in Northern Ireland and England.

A 71 year old man arrested in Castlewellan, County Down this morning remains in custody.