New policing board members named

The policing board is made up of nine independents and ten politicians

The make-up of the new Policing Board has been announced by Secretary of State Peter Hain.

The three new independent members include former Sinn Fein mayor of Derry, Gerry O'hEara and Belfast charity worker Mary McKee.

David Rose, a former deputy leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, the political representatives of the UVF, was also appointed to the board.

The independents will now join the 10 political members of the board.

The six independents from the outgoing board who have been reappointed include outgoing chairman Sir Des Rea, and his deputy Barry Gilligan.

The DUP is the largest political party on the board, with four members. Sinn Fein has three seats, the Ulster Unionists have two, and the SDLP has one.

BOARD MEMBERS IN FULL DUP Tom Buchanan Jeffrey Donaldson David Simpson Peter Weir Sinn Fein Martina Anderson Alex Maskey Daithi McKay UUP Leslie Cree Basil McCrea SDLP Dolores Kelly Independent Barry Gilligan Rosaleen Moore Mary McKee Gearoid O'hEara Brian Rea Prof Sir Desmond Rea Trevor Ringland David Rose Suniel Sharma

Mr Hain said policing in Northern Ireland has been strengthened with the reconstitution of the Policing Board which, for the first time, included representatives from the four main political parties.

"Effective policing has to be informed by the different voices within our communities," he said.

"The wide variety of background and experience represented by the political and independent members on this new board will ensure that all interests are taken into account.

"The Northern Ireland Policing Board has been one of the outstanding success stories of the Belfast Agreement."

The new board is expected to meet for the first time in private next week to elect a chairman and deputy.

The first public meeting will take place on 6 June.