Legislation aims to destroy RUC, says Robinson

New British draft legislation on policing is designed to lead to the phased destruction of the RUC, the DUP deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, has claimed.

Proposals to amalgamate all personnel engaged in policing under the general title of the Northern Ireland Police Service was part of a strategy of phasing out the name of the RUC, and of changing the nature and character of the force, said Mr Robinson.

The draft legislation - the Police (NI) Order 1997 - is due to be presented to the British Parliament in Bill form during the current session. The ultimate passing of the Bill, however, may be held up in order to present politicians at the talks with an opportunity to devise their own solution to the problem of policing.

The new body, if established, would incorporate the RUC, civil administrative staff and traffic wardens. It would be under the control of the RUC chief constable who would be responsible for his own budget and setting policing objectives.

This would significantly reduce the powers of the Police Authority, which would be limited to holding the chief constable to account for the running of the new body.

While the RUC would remain as a separate organisation under the umbrella of the Northern Ireland Police Service the ultimate intention was to change the name as a further concession to nationalists, said Mr Robinson. He took no assurance from the proposals which pledged to maintain the oath of allegiance for officers and current emblems.

"The name Northern Ireland Police Service will be the dominant name and title of common usage, while the present title of RUC will be shunted into a sub-heading, and after time removed from usage," he said.