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Orde anger at collusion response Orde anger at collusion response
(about 2 hours later)
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has accused the SDLP and Sinn Fein of insulting his staff and using the police as a "political football".Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has accused the SDLP and Sinn Fein of insulting his staff and using the police as a "political football".
His criticism is in a confidential PSNI memo, obtained by the BBC.His criticism is in a confidential PSNI memo, obtained by the BBC.
In it, Sir Hugh said the SDLP and Sinn Fein had gone "too far" in their response to the Police Ombudsman's report on collusion in north Belfast.In it, Sir Hugh said the SDLP and Sinn Fein had gone "too far" in their response to the Police Ombudsman's report on collusion in north Belfast.
The report said there was collusion between some members of Special Branch and the loyalist paramilitary UVF.The report said there was collusion between some members of Special Branch and the loyalist paramilitary UVF.
Sir Hugh accepted the recommendations made in Nuala O'Loan's report, which he said made "uncomfortable reading".Sir Hugh accepted the recommendations made in Nuala O'Loan's report, which he said made "uncomfortable reading".
Gerry Adams had said republicans would "put manners" on the police.Gerry Adams had said republicans would "put manners" on the police.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan was also highly critical and claimed last week that his party had ensured that the Policing Board appointed Sir Hugh as chief constable of the PSNI - to keep out what he called "the old RUC order".SDLP leader Mark Durkan was also highly critical and claimed last week that his party had ensured that the Policing Board appointed Sir Hugh as chief constable of the PSNI - to keep out what he called "the old RUC order".
In a confidential memo sent to almost 10,000 police officers, the chief constable said it was "unacceptable that some individuals have used policing for political purposes". I would suggest to the police leadership that they are on the wrong side of the argument Alex AttwoodSDLP policing spokesman In a confidential memo sent to almost 10,000 police officers, the chief constable said it was "unacceptable that some individuals have used policing for political purposes".
He said they had made "insulting comments about the organisation, its staff and retired colleagues", who he holds in the highest esteem.He said they had made "insulting comments about the organisation, its staff and retired colleagues", who he holds in the highest esteem.
Sir Hugh tells staff that he has spoken directly to the SDLP leadership to express his anger - and taken steps to speak to Sinn Fein, but says their leadership appears to have "gone on-the-run".Sir Hugh tells staff that he has spoken directly to the SDLP leadership to express his anger - and taken steps to speak to Sinn Fein, but says their leadership appears to have "gone on-the-run".
He ends his message by saying he is "proud to lead the PSNI" and says his staff "can hold their heads up high".He ends his message by saying he is "proud to lead the PSNI" and says his staff "can hold their heads up high".
Nuala O'Loan's report said there was collusion between officers and a north Belfast UVF gang which killed up to 16 people.Nuala O'Loan's report said there was collusion between officers and a north Belfast UVF gang which killed up to 16 people.
SDLP policing spokesman Alex Attwood told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster he was surprised by the content of the memo.
"I would suggest to the police leadership that they are on the wrong side of the argument," he said.
"They need to get back on the right side of those people who, over the last five or six years, have done so much to reshape Northern Ireland society in the interests of and to the benefit of everyone."
Sinn Fein assembly member John O'Dowd rejected Sir Hugh's claim that the party had "gone to ground" when he tried to contact them.
"Sinn Fein is out there trying to introduce an accountable policing service," he said.
"And if he comes to Sinn Fein with the same attitude that he has displayed in that memo, he will be getting a short shrift answer."