Mixed reaction to split vote

Sir Ronnie Flanagan: Head of police in Northern Ireland

Members of the Policing Board have given a mixed reaction to its decision to ask the chief constable to remain in his post for an extra month.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who has overseen the start of sweeping changes to Northern Ireland's policing service, had announced his intention to retire.

Although his retirement notice runs out next Thursday, 28 Februrary, he had expected to be in the post for another few months until a successor was appointed.

On Thursday, the 19-member Policing Board were split on the issue, but decided by a majority vote to ask Sir Ronnie to extend his tenure.

The decision was taken on the casting vote of the board's chairman Desmond Rea.

Alex Attwood said Sir Ronnie was "lame duck chief constable"

Afterwards, Alex Attwood of the nationalist SDLP described Sir Ronnie as a "lame duck" chief constable.

"The policing board has laid down severe conditions as to what he can and cannot do," he said.

"He cannot comment about the work of the Police Ombudsman's office and he cannot upset the work of the Policing Board in respect of the Omagh inquiry.

"The chief constable had his bacon saved by the casting vote of the chairman of the board.

"Yet nine other people on the board, in a tied vote - including the overwhelming majority of the community representatives - said it was time for the chief constable to go."

The board's vice-chairman, Denis Bradley, said the real issue was that the board had "taken control of policing".

"I think that this board has grown up today. I think that we faced the difficulties and the divisions within this society.

"The chairman and myself were not in an easy position, we didn't always agree with everything."

Board chairman Desmond Rea: Had casting vote

The board's chairman, Professor Des Rea, said: "We would expect him (Sir Ronnie) to go on in the way that he has done in the past.

"He will bring his management style to his position. He has one month in which to tidy up."

Unionist representatives on the board said the decision would minimise disruption while they looked for a new chief constable.

Ian Paisley junior, a Democratic Unionist representative, said: "This will allow a smooth and seamless transition of power.

"It's a vote of confidence and people should accept majority rule in this instance."

Ulster Unionist Fred Cobain said the extra four weeks would allow Sir Ronnie to tie up loose ends.

He also hit out at Mr Attwood's claims, saying personal attacks would only hamper efforts.

"The board had a constructive debate about this issue and there was no rancour involved," he said.

Alex Maskey of Sinn Fein, a party which refuses to take up its seats on the Policing Board, said the decision underlined the "ineffectiveness of the Policing Board and its inability to hold the chief constable to account."