POLICING BOARD UNIONISTS HIT AT 'PARTISAN' SDLP
Policing Board unionists hit at 'partisan' SDLP
By Noel McAdam Political Correspondent
UNIONIST Policing Board members today accused the SDLP of being "partisan" over the Ombudsman's controversial criticism of Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain said SDLP board member Alex Attwood threatened to damage the credibility of the board as it set out to investigate the conflicting claims over the Real IRA Omagh atrocity. And the North Belfast Assembly member said both Mr Flanagan and Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan would have to appear before the board, probably next month, to put their respective cases.
And DUP board member Ian Paisley Jnr said the SDLP decision to pre-judge and endorse Mrs O'Loan meant it could not be taken seriously.
Their attack came as board members prepared to discuss the O'Loan report for the first time at their corporate affairs committee meeting this afternoon. Mr Attwood, who met Sir Ronnie with fellow party Policing Board member Joe Byrne yesterday, was not available for comment earlier today. But Mr Cobain said: "It's an absolute disgrace. How can we have any sense that there is going to be impartiality when we have Mr Attwood being totally partisan? It would seem from his views and his party leader Mark Durkan on radio at the weekend that the SDLP has already made its mind up that Ronnie Flanagan is guilty.
"I am not saying there is not substance to the O'Loan report, but we have still to hear the Chief Constable's response. There are other agendas going on here." Mr Paisley Jnr said the credibility of the Ombudsman was being undermined by the failure of the SDLP to put clear water between itself and her decisions. Mr Cobain and DUP member Sammy Wilson hope to raise the controversy at the committee meeting, which comes before a special full board meeting around January 9.
The SDLP delegation which met Sir Ronnie, led by Assembly member Patricia Lewsley, sought assurances that recommendations in the O'Loan report will be implemented quickly. Her report into the police handling of the 1998 bomb, in which 29 people were killed, recommended a senior officer from an outside police force be asked to conduct an investigation into the bombing and a review into the role and function of Special Branch, strongly criticised for not passing on intelligence information.
Mrs Lewsley said there had been some tough talking. "It was a difficult meeting," she said.
"We went in there with the intent to ensure that the six recommendations were taken on board. We believe that they are so serious an issue that we would like to see the investigation into the Omagh bomb as soon as possible.
"This is a key moment for the future of policing in Northern Ireland. For the first time we have seen the new policing institutions, and in particular the Police Ombudsman, call to account the police in an unprecedented and open manner."
By Noel McAdam Political Correspondent
UNIONIST Policing Board members today accused the SDLP of being "partisan" over the Ombudsman's controversial criticism of Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain said SDLP board member Alex Attwood threatened to damage the credibility of the board as it set out to investigate the conflicting claims over the Real IRA Omagh atrocity. And the North Belfast Assembly member said both Mr Flanagan and Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan would have to appear before the board, probably next month, to put their respective cases.
And DUP board member Ian Paisley Jnr said the SDLP decision to pre-judge and endorse Mrs O'Loan meant it could not be taken seriously.
Their attack came as board members prepared to discuss the O'Loan report for the first time at their corporate affairs committee meeting this afternoon. Mr Attwood, who met Sir Ronnie with fellow party Policing Board member Joe Byrne yesterday, was not available for comment earlier today. But Mr Cobain said: "It's an absolute disgrace. How can we have any sense that there is going to be impartiality when we have Mr Attwood being totally partisan? It would seem from his views and his party leader Mark Durkan on radio at the weekend that the SDLP has already made its mind up that Ronnie Flanagan is guilty.
"I am not saying there is not substance to the O'Loan report, but we have still to hear the Chief Constable's response. There are other agendas going on here." Mr Paisley Jnr said the credibility of the Ombudsman was being undermined by the failure of the SDLP to put clear water between itself and her decisions. Mr Cobain and DUP member Sammy Wilson hope to raise the controversy at the committee meeting, which comes before a special full board meeting around January 9.
The SDLP delegation which met Sir Ronnie, led by Assembly member Patricia Lewsley, sought assurances that recommendations in the O'Loan report will be implemented quickly. Her report into the police handling of the 1998 bomb, in which 29 people were killed, recommended a senior officer from an outside police force be asked to conduct an investigation into the bombing and a review into the role and function of Special Branch, strongly criticised for not passing on intelligence information.
Mrs Lewsley said there had been some tough talking. "It was a difficult meeting," she said.
"We went in there with the intent to ensure that the six recommendations were taken on board. We believe that they are so serious an issue that we would like to see the investigation into the Omagh bomb as soon as possible.
"This is a key moment for the future of policing in Northern Ireland. For the first time we have seen the new policing institutions, and in particular the Police Ombudsman, call to account the police in an unprecedented and open manner."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0810
Published Date: 20-Dec-01
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