Dropped MLA wants policing debate

Mr Hyland, who represents Newry and Armagh, said he was now considering whether to stand as an independent.

He said he had disagreements on local issues with Sinn Fein and accused them of moving too quickly on policing.

"It's difficult for us to get our heads round some of the things being requested of us," he said.

"Meetings with Hugh Orde in Stormont still seem maybe a step too far for many people."

Mr Hyland said more discussion was needed on the issue.

"My experience and my family's experience of policing in the north hasn't been a very good one, like many other republicans," he said.

Last week, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams met PSNI chief constable Sir Hugh Orde against a backdrop of growing pressure on republicans to support the police as part of the deal to restore devolution.

Mr Adams described the meeting held at Stormont as "good" but said he could not yet call a special convention on policing.

The chief constable also said the meeting "had been good" and described the conversation as "testing".

Sinn Fein is facing demands from other political parties in Northern Ireland as well as the British, Irish and US governments to fully endorse the PSNI.

The DUP has insisted without such a move from Gerry Adams' party there will be no power-sharing at Stormont next March.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Sinn Fein
PSNI
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites