Anger at Norther Ireland police bill

Both Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland have criticised a British government bill to reform the province's police force.

The bill delays a final decision on one of the most contentious issues, the force's future name.

Catholics believe the current title, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, symbolises Protestant domination; Protestants say any change would insult the officers who died at the hands of the IRA.

Correspondents say the delay is an attempt to avoid offending the Protestants but Catholic politicians reacted angrily to the possibility of the force keeping its name. The current force is ninety-per cent Protestant.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service