Sinn Fein has criticised the Ulster Unionist Party over its reaction to reports that the RUC could be disbanded. Party chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin said that after "successfully stalling" the creation of the executive and all-Ireland bodies, the UUP was turning its attention to other elements of the Belfast Agreement.
"The threat to collapse the agreement on the issue of policing is another attempt to rewrite elements of the agreement," Mr McLaughlin said. The Independent Commission on Policing had a remit to create a service which enjoyed widespread support and could be an integral part of the entire community.
"Clearly the RUC is neither supported nor indeed an integral part of the broad nationalist community," he said. "The UUP cannot continue to ignore what they have agreed on Good Friday. The agreement cannot be rewritten.
"The overwhelming majority of the Irish people have ratified the agreement. This includes the formation of the executive, the all-Ireland bodies and indeed the provisions to establish a new acceptable policing service."