Statutory Report

4.53 In early June 1985, and allegedly with the knowledge of his Army handlers,
Brian Nelson departed for South Africa, where he was introduced by his
contact to an arms dealer in Durban. During the following days Brian
Nelson discussed a range of firearms with the dealer, reaching a provisional
agreement for the purchase of £100,000 worth of weapons, including
assault rifles, 9mm calibre pistols and other firearms and ammunition.
Arrangements for finalisation of the purchase and shipping of the firearms
was to be negotiated with the dealer’s agent in Europe.
4.54 According to Brian Nelson, towards the end of his stay in Durban, he was
told by his contact that the organisation, who would be supplying the
firearms, Armsco 5 , was interested in obtaining ‘stuff’ from Shorts
Aerospace, Belfast. He then returned to the UK where, upon his arrival in
London, he met his military handler, who debriefed him about the events in
South Africa.
4.55 Brian Nelson alleged that when he returned to Northern Ireland he met with
the same UDA Commanders, who had directed him in his venture to South
Africa. He briefed them on his trip, including the alleged South African
interest in Shorts Aerospace. He alleged that he had been told that
arrangements for receiving and storing the firearms in Northern Ireland had
already been organised and that they would progress the deal from that
point.
4.56 Nelson alleged that a month later he was told by one of these commanders
that there had been problems with financing the purchase of the firearms as
a result of which he understood the UDA did not complete the deal.
4.57 According to notes attributed to Brian Nelson by the Stevens Inquiry he relocated
to West Germany in October 1985, returning to Northern Ireland,
allegedly at the behest of his military handlers, in 1987 where he resumed
his involvement with the UDA as their Intelligence Officer.
5 I understand Armsco to be a reference to the South African State Arms Procurement Agency - Armscorp
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