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DUP - Reserve not a precondition | DUP - Reserve not a precondition |
(about 1 hour later) | |
DUP leader Peter Robinson has said retaining the PSNI full-time reserve is not a pre-condition for the devolution of policing and justice powers. | DUP leader Peter Robinson has said retaining the PSNI full-time reserve is not a pre-condition for the devolution of policing and justice powers. |
But the first minister added that the issue of what happens to members of the reserve must be resolved. | But the first minister added that the issue of what happens to members of the reserve must be resolved. |
He made the comments after a 90-minute meeting with the Chief Constable. | He made the comments after a 90-minute meeting with the Chief Constable. |
On Monday, the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said it was "absolutely clear" the party would not agree to devolution if the reserve was disbanded. | On Monday, the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson said it was "absolutely clear" the party would not agree to devolution if the reserve was disbanded. |
But following the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said decisions about police resources were "an operational matter" for Matt Baggott. | But following the meeting on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said decisions about police resources were "an operational matter" for Matt Baggott. |
He added the key issue was that the PSNI had the necessary resources and experience to carry out its duties in order to gain public confidence. | He added the key issue was that the PSNI had the necessary resources and experience to carry out its duties in order to gain public confidence. |
He urged Mr Baggott to make use of the experience of the remaining 440 members of the full-time reserve. | He urged Mr Baggott to make use of the experience of the remaining 440 members of the full-time reserve. |
It is understood the DUP would like those officers to be given the opportunity to apply for civilian jobs within the police service when the reserve is phased out in March 2011. | It is understood the DUP would like those officers to be given the opportunity to apply for civilian jobs within the police service when the reserve is phased out in March 2011. |
'Office boys' | |
The phasing out of the police reserve - an auxiliary group of officers who support the regular force in mainly security-related work - was one of the recommendations of the Patten report which led to major reforms on policing in Northern Ireland. | The phasing out of the police reserve - an auxiliary group of officers who support the regular force in mainly security-related work - was one of the recommendations of the Patten report which led to major reforms on policing in Northern Ireland. |
Reacting to Mr Robinson's comments, TUV leader Jim Allister said: "The DUP have shamefully - within the space of 48 hours - moved to the position of saying that the police reserve must be retained as a precondition to now saying that 'provided they are turned into office boys, we're prepared to dump them'. | |
"It tells us what most of us have known for some time, as far as the DUP is concerned, about the prioritising of clinging to office rather than taking a principled stand - on anything." | |
Meanwhile, Alliance leader David Ford has welcomed Mr Robinson's comments on the full time reserve. | Meanwhile, Alliance leader David Ford has welcomed Mr Robinson's comments on the full time reserve. |
He said: "Peter Robinson's statement this afternoon recognising the operational independence of the Chief Constable is very important." | He said: "Peter Robinson's statement this afternoon recognising the operational independence of the Chief Constable is very important." |
'Deep trouble' | 'Deep trouble' |
The DUP had listed retaining the reserve as a confidence-building measure necessary for the devolution of policing and justice. | The DUP had listed retaining the reserve as a confidence-building measure necessary for the devolution of policing and justice. |
However, Mr Baggott reiterated his view on Tuesday that there is no operational need to keep the remaining reserve officers. | However, Mr Baggott reiterated his view on Tuesday that there is no operational need to keep the remaining reserve officers. |
Chief Constable Matt Baggott said the reserve was no longer needed | Chief Constable Matt Baggott said the reserve was no longer needed |
In recent days, there have been increasingly bitter exchanges between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the devolution issue. | In recent days, there have been increasingly bitter exchanges between the DUP and Sinn Fein over the devolution issue. |
Sinn Fein have accused the DUP of raising unnecessary obstructions, while the DUP have insisted they will not be blackmailed. | Sinn Fein have accused the DUP of raising unnecessary obstructions, while the DUP have insisted they will not be blackmailed. |
Mr Robinson's comments came on the same day that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness warned of "deep trouble" for the political process unless a date for transferring the powers from Westminster to Stormont is agreed by Christmas. | Mr Robinson's comments came on the same day that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness warned of "deep trouble" for the political process unless a date for transferring the powers from Westminster to Stormont is agreed by Christmas. |
Mr McGuinness said political leadership was needed to confront the "hostile forces opposed to the process". | Mr McGuinness said political leadership was needed to confront the "hostile forces opposed to the process". |
He was speaking at a news conference following a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, also attended by Mr Robinson and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. | He was speaking at a news conference following a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council, also attended by Mr Robinson and Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin. |
Mr Robinson did not appear at the news conference. | Mr Robinson did not appear at the news conference. |
The Sinn Fein deputy leader told journalists that he and Mr Robinson had briefed the assembly review committee on Tuesday about the outcome of their "protracted" negotiations about a financial package. | The Sinn Fein deputy leader told journalists that he and Mr Robinson had briefed the assembly review committee on Tuesday about the outcome of their "protracted" negotiations about a financial package. |
Mr McGuinness said Prime Minister Gordon Brown had made it clear that Stormont would not get a penny of the promised £1bn deal without devolving policing and justice powers. | Mr McGuinness said Prime Minister Gordon Brown had made it clear that Stormont would not get a penny of the promised £1bn deal without devolving policing and justice powers. |
He said the British and US governments had made clear they wanted agreement on the devolution of policing and justice powers by Christmas. | He said the British and US governments had made clear they wanted agreement on the devolution of policing and justice powers by Christmas. |
His comments were echoed by Mr Martin, who said he wanted to see the transfer of powers as soon as possible. | His comments were echoed by Mr Martin, who said he wanted to see the transfer of powers as soon as possible. |