SIR RONNIE LEAVING DATE IS POSTPONED
Sir Ronnie leaving date is postponed
By Sharon O'Neill
THE chief constable has been gagged from any comment likely to reignite the bitter row between himself and Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, it emerged last night.
Two conditions relating to the Omagh bomb controversy have been placed on Sir Ronnie Flanagan after the Policing Board agreed to postpone his retirement for another month.
But the 19-member scrutinising body was split over Sir Ronnie's immediate future at a specially convened meeting yesterday.
Unionist board members joined forces with two independents to extend Sir Ronnie's tenure while the SDLP and seven independents, including vice-chairman Denis Bradley, argued that he should leave when his notice runs out next Thursday.
However, chairman Des Rea held the casting vote and delayed Sir Ronnie's retirement until the end of march.
It is understood that SDLP South Down MP Eddie McGrady did not attend the meeting due to personal reasons.
Despite remaining in the post for another few weeks, the chief constable still departs before the introduction of the new badge and uniform and the completion of training of new recruits on April 5.
It is understood the board declined a meeting request from Sir Ronnie earlier yesterday.
Last night a spokeswoman for the board confirmed the restrictions imposed on Sir Ronnie following a unanimous decision by the body.
"The chief constable should not engage in any media responses to the ombudsman except as necessary in relation to the ongoing judicial review (by the Police Association)," she said.
"The chief constable should respect and use his authority and leadership to ensure full implementation of the board's recommendation on Omagh."
The search for the new chief constable will begin next week.
Deputy chief constable Colin Cramphorn will act up until a successor is found.
In a statement the Police Service of Northern Ireland said Sir Ronnie would be "honoured" to continue in the post.
But SDLP board member Alex Attwood voiced strong objection to the extension and said Sir Ronnie was continuing as a "lame duck".
"Given that [he] has said that he would remain until a new chief is appointed he will not now even remain until the job is advertised. This speaks volumes," he said.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain insisted his party's support for Sir Ronnie was taken for "operational" rather than political reasons.
"We want the deputy chief constable in place for the first of April and this will allow him to do so," he said.
The DUP's Ian Paisley jnr said: "It's a vote of confidence and people should accept majority rule in this instance."
The board's vice-chairman Denis Bradley said: "We agreed to disagree or express our personal feelings on this."
By Sharon O'Neill
THE chief constable has been gagged from any comment likely to reignite the bitter row between himself and Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan, it emerged last night.
Two conditions relating to the Omagh bomb controversy have been placed on Sir Ronnie Flanagan after the Policing Board agreed to postpone his retirement for another month.
But the 19-member scrutinising body was split over Sir Ronnie's immediate future at a specially convened meeting yesterday.
Unionist board members joined forces with two independents to extend Sir Ronnie's tenure while the SDLP and seven independents, including vice-chairman Denis Bradley, argued that he should leave when his notice runs out next Thursday.
However, chairman Des Rea held the casting vote and delayed Sir Ronnie's retirement until the end of march.
It is understood that SDLP South Down MP Eddie McGrady did not attend the meeting due to personal reasons.
Despite remaining in the post for another few weeks, the chief constable still departs before the introduction of the new badge and uniform and the completion of training of new recruits on April 5.
It is understood the board declined a meeting request from Sir Ronnie earlier yesterday.
Last night a spokeswoman for the board confirmed the restrictions imposed on Sir Ronnie following a unanimous decision by the body.
"The chief constable should not engage in any media responses to the ombudsman except as necessary in relation to the ongoing judicial review (by the Police Association)," she said.
"The chief constable should respect and use his authority and leadership to ensure full implementation of the board's recommendation on Omagh."
The search for the new chief constable will begin next week.
Deputy chief constable Colin Cramphorn will act up until a successor is found.
In a statement the Police Service of Northern Ireland said Sir Ronnie would be "honoured" to continue in the post.
But SDLP board member Alex Attwood voiced strong objection to the extension and said Sir Ronnie was continuing as a "lame duck".
"Given that [he] has said that he would remain until a new chief is appointed he will not now even remain until the job is advertised. This speaks volumes," he said.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Fred Cobain insisted his party's support for Sir Ronnie was taken for "operational" rather than political reasons.
"We want the deputy chief constable in place for the first of April and this will allow him to do so," he said.
The DUP's Ian Paisley jnr said: "It's a vote of confidence and people should accept majority rule in this instance."
The board's vice-chairman Denis Bradley said: "We agreed to disagree or express our personal feelings on this."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0549
Published Date: 22-Feb-02
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