Row brews over policing nominations

Issue of policing reform has led to controversy

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has said it would be "ludicrous" for nationalist and republican politicians to refuse to sit on the new Police Board.

Mr Mandelson has extended the deadline for nominations to the new board which will replace the Police Authority for Northern Ireland as part of sweeping reforms of the service.

The closing date for independent nominations was to have been on Monday but the nominating period has now been extended to 4 December.

In total, 10 politicians from the Ulster Unionist Party, the Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP), Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party are eligible to sit on the 19-strong policing board.

But both Sinn Fein and the SDLP have said they are not yet prepared to accept or reject invitations to the new body.

They say they are holding out for more changes to the Police (NI) Bill currently making its passage through parliament. It is due to become law by the end of the year.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP have argued that the Bill does not implement in full the recommendations of the Independent Commission on Policing headed by EU commissioner Chris Patten.

Alex Attwood: Bill does not reflect Patten

Alex Attwood, the SDLP's policing spokesman, said his party would not be nominating to the new board.

"The SDLP wants to get to a position where we are nominating, and the responsibility to achieve that is the British Government who can yet reclaim the policing prize, get it right, and our community will go on the board and go into the police service," he added.

But Mr Mandelson said the community "would not understand" such a move.

"For nationalists or republicans to deny themselves their ability to influence and share in determining those final jigsaw pieces by standing aside from the shadow board, that really would be a case of cutting your nose off to spite your face," he said.

"It would be completely ludicrous."

The board's role will include holding the chief constable and the police service to account. It will also have a say in the design of the new badge and flag.

Ulster Unionists will take their three seats on the policing board, despite being unhappy about plans to change the RUC name and emblems.

Michael McGimpsey says SDLP should take up seats

Ulster Unionist Michael McGimpsey said: "I don't believe any of us who are committed to the peaceful process have any alternative other than to take part in the policing board.

"I believe that the SDLP can, and should, take part in it. I believe if they don't, that effectively will perhaps be a terminal blow to the entire agreement process."

The government has already indicated it hopes to have the board working in shadow form by January.

The new board replaces the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, an independent body which was established in 1970.

One of its main duties has been to secure the maintenance of an effective and efficient police service.