Trimble attacked on police stance

David Trimble's policing stance has been criticised

A senior member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has criticised David Trimble over his comments opposing the early devolution of justice and policing.

Board vice-chairman Denis Bradley called on the Ulster Unionist leader and other politicians to stop playing politics with law and order issues.

Mr Bradley said the devolution of such powers was part and parcel of the new approach to policing and had previously been a common aim amongst all local politicians.

"David Trimble's call for the powers not to be devolved is in all likelihood tactical.

Denis Bradley: Stop playing politics appeal

"However, I think he is going into an area which already has been decided upon and which, in my view, is thoroughly integral to the needs of policing.

"The devolution of policing and justice powers is a marriage which must take place," he said.

"I just wish the political parties would not play with this issue and find other tactics."

Speaking in Strabane, County Tyrone, on Thursday night, Mr Trimble said it would take time for that confidence to be restored.

"Republicans must realise that the immediate post-Agreement optimism cannot be easily rekindled.

"After the events and revelations of the last year, it will never be glad morning again."

He described new legislation which will allow former paramilitary prisoners to join the district policing partnerships as a "sop to Sinn Fein".

The legislation is due to be introduced in Parliament next week.

The party has warned it could withdraw from the Northern Ireland Policing Board if Sinn Fein takes its seats without total decommissioning by the IRA.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said Mr Trimble had made "an unfortunate and unhelpful contribution".

He said all issues could be discussed over the next 10 weeks.

"We need to recognise that we are playing for big stakes here. This is about the future prosperity of our country."

'No mechanism'

SDLP Policing Board member Alex Attwood said Mr Trimble and his party were well aware of what had been agreed on the devolution of policing and justice.

"Everybody knew about it, and in recent times the British Government are about to table legislation that will substantially legislate for the Weston Park deal," he said.

Martin McGuinness: "Big stakes"

The Ulster Unionists have insisted they will not return to power-sharing with Sinn Fein until there is absolute certainty the IRA will cease all paramilitary activity.

Following the collapse of power-sharing at Stormont, current legislation dictates that the British and Irish Governments must review the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on which devolution was based.

But unless some common ground can be found between the parties on how to proceed, there is no mechanism for reinstating the power-sharing executive.