Assume Nothing

A daring raid at the Belfast headquarters of Special Branch, the police counter terrorism unit, triggers a massive investigation. The finger of blame is pointed at the IRA, at a time when the paramilitary ceasefire is just about holding but government in Northern Ireland is far from stable.Presenter: Martin McCann Additional Voice: Nicolas Boulton Produced by BBC Northern Ireland

In August 2020 Katie Simpson was brutally murdered by Jonathan Creswell, the partner of her older sister.For months he convinces her family, the hospital, the pathologist and even the police that she'd taken her own life. He portrays himself as the Good Samaritan, who'd tried to save her.But for a small group of people, close friends and family, a Detective Sergeant and journalist Tanya Fowles, the truth about how she'd died might never have come out.For the first time, Tanya reveals how in the weeks after Katie's death, while she'd been asking questions of the police about Creswell, she receives a phone call from someone employed by one of Northern Ireland's politicians.The message is clear, unusual and unnerving. The journalist has no idea how her caller knew she was enquiring about the case as she hadn't published a word about it yet.But it convinces her more than ever that there is definitely more to Katie's death than suicide.

A woman says she's visited by men who she says tell her there is no point in pursuing Jonathan Creswell after she reported him for stealing her horse. Another is told police couldn't arrest him when she'd reported him for indecent exposure at the yard where they worked. And for the first time, journalist Tanya Fowles reveals details of a call she received trying to put her off the story.

Detective Sergeant James Brannigan has one last chance to convince his bosses to launch an investigation into Katie's death. Working on his own, he compiles a 20-page report of all the evidence so far. He says there are questions that need answers. He hopes senior officers will now decide the death needs to be looked at by a Major Investigations Team. But it is only when a young officer speaks up that the decision to have another look is made.

Detective Sergeant James Brannigan is able to speak to this series for the first time. He reveals how a call from journalist Tanya Fowles leads him to review the evidence gathered so far by his police colleagues into the murder. The more he uncovers, the more he believes an investigation is needed. He's just got to convince his senior officers.