Shelving of RUC reforms denied

The proposed RUC reforms have sparked much debate

The government has denied it plans to shelve reforms to Northern Ireland's police service following newspaper reports.

But it has made clear the consequences of any delay to local political parties.

What he (Peter Mandelson) needs to do instead of having a moratorium or threatening suspensions is get this issue right.

Gerry Kelly
Sinn Fein

Nationalists have refused to join the Police Board, which is to oversee the reformed service, until they get guarantees from the government on certain aspects of the implementation of the proposed changes.

The Northern Ireland Office denied reports that the SDLP, which is the largest nationalist party in the province, had 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 50/50 recruitment of Protestants and Catholics - is one of the key elements of the Good Friday Agreement.

Legislation enshrining many reforms proposed by an Independent Commission on Policing, headed by former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten, became law in November.

Alex Attwood: Government to blame for failure to implement RUC reforms

Both the SDLP and Sinn Fein have accused the government of gutting the Patten reforms, 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.

Both parties have so far refused to nominate representatives to sit on the Police Board alongside unionist nominees.

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."

Ulster Unionist Party security spokesman Ken Maginnis said he understood the SDLP had difficulties with the police reform legislation.

"I personally would call on Seamus Mallon, as leader of the SDLP in the Assembly, to face up to his responsibilities to society in Northern Ireland as a whole," said Mr Maginnis.

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 government nominees.

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.