PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton

The police investigation into the Greenvale Hotel crush has come under increasing scrutiny.

In the aftermath of the tragedy the hotel’s owner Michael McElhatton and a staff member were arrested on suspicion on manslaughter.

While in custody it emerged Mr McElhatton had been further arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

In an unusual turn of events just two hours later police said the 52-year-old had been “de-arrested” after fast-track forensic analysis of a "suspicious package consisting of a white powder substance and tin foil" had ruled out the possibility of drugs.

It is believed the “white powder” was in fact a cleaning agent.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton later issued a statement saying the PSNI’s actions were taken "in good faith and in line with procedure".

Greenvale Hotel owner Michael McElhatton

Mr McElhatton insisted he has "nothing whatsoever to do with drugs" and accused police of “blackening" his name.

Since then the PSNI has said it is “unable to confirm what the substance is for legal reasons” and has refused to return it to Mr McElhatton.

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In a separate development it has also emerged that police officers who initially attended the Greenvale Hotel withdrew before later returning.

Chief Constable George Hamilton subsequently referred the matter to the Police Ombudsman and later described the officers involved as “brave”.

Speaking earlier this year he said: “Large numbers of people, lots of uncertainty, perhaps some chaos. So I think those officers were brave and acted in good faith.

"But I do think when we objectively look at the time of arrival and withdrawal and the details of all of that, then there are some questions to answer."

The outgoing chief apologised for his comments during a meeting with Morgan Barnard’s parents - James Bradley and Maria Barnard - last month.

The couple had earlier called on Mr Hamilton to say sorry for his remarks and voiced support for an "independent investigation".

It has now emerged that police told Morgan's parents that officers who initially attended the scene withdrew because missiles had previously been thrown at them in the area.

It is understood the grieving parents were under the impression that was also the case the night their son died.

However, police have since accepted that no missiles were in fact been thrown.

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman last night said: “Our investigation into the initial police actions at the scene is ongoing.

“We cannot comment about the nature of that investigation except to say that all reasonable lines of enquiry in relation to the police response will be pursued.”