POLICING BOARD WALKING A TIGHTROPE
Policing Board walking a tightrope
The Police Board begins taking up the reins of the Omagh row today, meeting relatives of the victims. Political correspondent Chris Thornton reports on why the stakes are high
THREE reputations will be at stake when Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Nuala O'Loan take part in separate meetings with the Policing Board on February 5. Just by stepping into the very public clash over the Omagh investigation, the Board is putting its fledgling status on the line.
How the dust settles has now become central, not just to the Chief Constable and the Police Ombudsman, but to the entire future of policing in Northern Ireland. While everyone talks about their concerns for the families, political considerations now weigh heavily.
If the Board can resolve the problem, it flies. If it stalls, it will immediately be accused of failure.
The Policing Board has had something of a honeymoon start. Beyond the expectations of most people, they were actually able to reach a compromise on the Police Service badge. And even in these ugly first stages of the Omagh investigation drama, the language of most political members of the Board has been remarkably restrained.
"We're all aware," said one member," that if we're serious about seeing policing and justice powers devolved back to Northern Ireland, this has to be seen to work." Two problems loom before them. One is the sectarian undercurrent - however inadvertent - of a dispute that has pitted a Protestant policeman against a Catholic married to an SDLP councillor. It would be easy for the Board, carefully constructed along the sectarian fault line, to fracture into opposing camps. Most of the political members appear to understand this. While UUP members, notably Fred Cobain, have spoken supportively of Sir Ronnie, they have also stressed the need for a resolution. The SDLP, on the other hand, has been broadly in line with Mrs O Loan's position but has put a similar emphasis on a settlement.
The DUP has been the exception, with Board member Sammy Wilson publicly calling for heads to roll in the Ombudsman's office. But other Board members say they believe the public stance of the DUP will be moderated in the Board's private deliberations.
If that is the case, it is in part because the DUP members understand their other problem. Sinn Fein is waiting on the edges.
Most of the possible outcomes would be argued by Sinn Fein as being evidence of the "fundamental flaws" in the new policing structures and vindication of their refusal to join the Board.
If Mrs O'Loan is censured, republicans will argue that the policing reforms have done nothing to curb the Chief Constable's power. If the Board backs off from the row - forcing the Secretary of State to step in-it will be said that they do not have the power to impose their will.
But an outcome that sees Sir Ronnie censured will be viewed as damaging to unionists, and could be used as a further stick against the reforms and the Agreement. It all spells out a testing time for the Board.
The Police Board begins taking up the reins of the Omagh row today, meeting relatives of the victims. Political correspondent Chris Thornton reports on why the stakes are high
THREE reputations will be at stake when Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Nuala O'Loan take part in separate meetings with the Policing Board on February 5. Just by stepping into the very public clash over the Omagh investigation, the Board is putting its fledgling status on the line.
How the dust settles has now become central, not just to the Chief Constable and the Police Ombudsman, but to the entire future of policing in Northern Ireland. While everyone talks about their concerns for the families, political considerations now weigh heavily.
If the Board can resolve the problem, it flies. If it stalls, it will immediately be accused of failure.
The Policing Board has had something of a honeymoon start. Beyond the expectations of most people, they were actually able to reach a compromise on the Police Service badge. And even in these ugly first stages of the Omagh investigation drama, the language of most political members of the Board has been remarkably restrained.
"We're all aware," said one member," that if we're serious about seeing policing and justice powers devolved back to Northern Ireland, this has to be seen to work." Two problems loom before them. One is the sectarian undercurrent - however inadvertent - of a dispute that has pitted a Protestant policeman against a Catholic married to an SDLP councillor. It would be easy for the Board, carefully constructed along the sectarian fault line, to fracture into opposing camps. Most of the political members appear to understand this. While UUP members, notably Fred Cobain, have spoken supportively of Sir Ronnie, they have also stressed the need for a resolution. The SDLP, on the other hand, has been broadly in line with Mrs O Loan's position but has put a similar emphasis on a settlement.
The DUP has been the exception, with Board member Sammy Wilson publicly calling for heads to roll in the Ombudsman's office. But other Board members say they believe the public stance of the DUP will be moderated in the Board's private deliberations.
If that is the case, it is in part because the DUP members understand their other problem. Sinn Fein is waiting on the edges.
Most of the possible outcomes would be argued by Sinn Fein as being evidence of the "fundamental flaws" in the new policing structures and vindication of their refusal to join the Board.
If Mrs O'Loan is censured, republicans will argue that the policing reforms have done nothing to curb the Chief Constable's power. If the Board backs off from the row - forcing the Secretary of State to step in-it will be said that they do not have the power to impose their will.
But an outcome that sees Sir Ronnie censured will be viewed as damaging to unionists, and could be used as a further stick against the reforms and the Agreement. It all spells out a testing time for the Board.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0847
Published Date: 28-Jan-02
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