SDLP call over Policing Bill

Policing reforms are the focus of intense debate

It is not too late for the government to ensure its Northern Ireland policing bill is workable, the SDLP's Seamus Mallon has said.

The Policing Bill - soon to become law - is concerned with changes in the structure of the province's policing service, the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

The party's deputy leader, Seamus Mallon, told his party's annual conference in Newcastle, County Down on Friday that the prime responsibility for delivering a "new policing dispensation" rested with the British Government.

Mr Mallon said: "Patten saw this. That is why only three of his recommendations were particularly addressed to nationalists. The other 172 were addressed to the government.

Seamus Mallon: Speaking at party's annual conference

"We need to see those recommendations implemented.

"Let me be clear, we are ready and willing to do this - if it is workable - but the British Government must demonstrate this not merely in the Bill but also in the Implementation Plan and in the wider attitudes of government.

"Even at this late hour, it is not too much to require that this be done."

The Newry and Armagh MP and Northern Ireland deputy first minister said the Patten Report did not contain everything the party wished for on policing.

Mr Mallon told delegates that as the Police Bill reached its conclusion in Westminster, the SDLP would draw its own conclusion on whether the legislation would deliver the "new beginning to policing promised by the Patten Report".

On Wedesday, unionist calls for a moratorium on the Bill in the House of Lords failed.

Ulster Unionist Party peers had tabled a motion calling for a freeze to changes to the RUC until "peace is assured".

It was one of a number of amendments to the controversial Bill during its passage through the UK's second parliamentary chamber.

The amendment was tabled during the third and final reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on Wednesday.

Other opposition amendments to the cap, badge and flag changes and so-called 50/50 recruitment of Catholics and Protestants were also narrowly defeated.

Amendment

But a Unionist amendment to link the RUC widows and disabled officers associations to the George Cross Foundation was pushed through.

The Bill now goes back to the House of Commons for approval.

It is due to become law in a matter of weeks.

The Patten Commission on the future of policing in Northern Ireland recommended fundamental changes to the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

The 175 recommendations, which include a new badge, oath of allegiance, uniform and a positive recruitment policy towards Catholics, angered unionists, but failed to meet nationalist and republican demands for disbandment.