RUC plans 'could be shelved'

The reforms have sparked much debate

The government is thought to be considering shelving plans for sweeping reforms to the police force in Northern Ireland.

So far none of the main parties which support the Good Friday Agreement has accepted the package of reforms on offer.

Sinn Fein has made it clear that the British Government legislation doesn't meet the requirements of Patten or indeed a new policing service

Gerry Kelly
Sinn Fein

The Northern Ireland Office has denied reports that the SDLP has been given a two-week ultimatum to agree to the changes.

But a spokesman said the government would be failing in its duty if it did not think through the implications of further delay to the reforms.

Replacing the Royal Ulster Constabulary with a new police service - with equal representation for Protestants and Catholics - is one of the key elements of the Good Friday Agreement.

Government attacked

But even now that the reforms have passed into law, none of the main parties is ready to accept the package on offer, which would include nationalist politicians serving on the new police board.

The SDLP is the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, and the government believes its support would clear the way for the new force's acceptance in both communities.

Both the SDLP and Sinn Fein have accused the government of gutting the reforms proposed by Chris Patten, watering them down as a sop to unionist parties.

They say the Patten Report itself was a compromise between the aspirations of Northern Ireland's two communities.

SDLP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly Alex Attwood blamed the government for the failure to reach agreement on reform of the RUC.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Whilst there are some issues of difference between ourselves and the unionist parties, our real difference is with the British Government, who have failed on a number of key issues which we have articulated endlessly over the last weeks and months to implement that which was intended by Patten to bring about a new beginning."

Sinn Fein's policing spokesman Gerry Kelly said it was time for Peter Mandelson to stop issuing moratoriums or threatening suspension and to focus on getting the policing issue right.

Gerry Kelly: British government should implement Patten reforms

Mr Kelly, who is the party's Assembly member for North Belfast, said threats would not work and accused Mr Mandelson of backing the Ulster Unionist position of placing a moratorium on police reforms.

"Sinn Fein has made it clear that the British Government legislation doesn't meet the requirements of Patten or indeed a new policing service.

"Moving the issue of policing forward to its proper conclusion is crucial to the Good Friday Agreement."

Anything that sets to one side the total emasculation of the RUC is to be welcomed

Gregory Campbell

Gregory Campbell, who is policing and security spokesman for the anti-agreement Democratic Unionist Party, accused Mr Mandelson of attempting to bolster the Ulster Unionist Party's electoral chances.

"Part of the reason for the Government doing this is in order to facilitate David Trimble. The only reason that is coming about is because Mr Trimble and his party know that their support is dissipating," said Mr Campbell, who is the Minister for Regional Development in the NI Executive.

Mr Campbell added that, whatever the motivation, he welcomed any move which would end the reform of the RUC.

"I don't welcome the reason for it happening but anything that sets to one side the total emasculation of the RUC is to be welcomed. But the rationale behind it needs to be right. The RUC needs to be improved, not decimated.

The policing board, recommended by the Patten Report, would oversee the work of the RUC's successor, due to be called the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

It would be composed of 10 representatives of political parties along with nine independents.

The SDLP and Sinn Fein both want the powers of the board enhanced, and are refusing to recommend that Catholics join the reconstituted police service under the structures currently being proposed.