Unionist warning over policing concessions

A senior Ulster Unionist Party politician has issued a warning over Sinn Féin's involvement with the Policing Board while the IRA remains in existence.

Ulster Unionist MLA Mr Michael McGimpsey said Sinn Féin should not have seats on the Policing Board while the IRA continues to exist.

The former Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister said: "How can Sinn Féin sit on the Policing Board while police officers are still being targeted? Theparamilitary structure of the IRA needs to be dissolved. Any suggestion that Republicans should be members of the Board before then is a complete nonsense."

"Gerry Adams must show leadership and direction to the Republican movement in general and the IRA in particular. The Belfast Agreement provided the platform for a robust and inclusive system of Government for all the peoplein Northern Ireland but Republicans have brought things crashing down to their knees."

The British government this week stated its intention to push ahead with policing reform in the Queen's speech and planned legislation is expected to be published in the next two weeks.

Sinn Féin has been under pressure to join the local District Policing Partnerships (DPPs). The DPP's role is to consult with police at local level and to monitor and comment on their performance.

Sinn Féin however, has refused to sign up to the new policing arrangements, although senior party members have stated that they want to join both the board and the DPPs, but only when policing legislation is amended.

But The Irish Newstoday reports that "senior republicans" are preparing "for a future without the IRA" and are ready to take up seats on the Policing Board.

Sinn Féin wants former prisoners to serve on the Partnerships. This would require the British government to amend current legislation and unionist politicians have stated their opposition to such a move.