`Gutless' criticism of RUC condemned

A SENIOR police representative has strongly suggested that politicians who utter "gutless" inflammatory criticism of the RUC should be charged with incitement.

After the recent murders of two of the force's members, the chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mr Les Rodgers, complained that even the most eminent" of politicians were engaging in cowardly criticism of the RUC.

Mr Rodgers also told the federation's 26th annual conference in Newcastle, Co Down, yesterday that the RUC was "heading towards zero tolerance" of calls for reform of the force - a view which was criticised by the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, who attended the conference.

Mr Rodgers said the RUC was now well and truly into the marching season when once again it would be caught "between a rock and a hard place".

It was a time when even the "most eminent of politicians in this community have no hesitation in employing the cowardly tactic of reminding officers that they know where our homes and families are".

He complained that one constitutional representative did not find it astonishing that some RUC members were being burned out of their homes.

"What kind of example is that of exercising elected responsibility?" asked Mr Rodgers.

"All political leaders have an overriding duty to ensure that inflammatory words do not spur on their wilder supporters to attacks on police officers or people's homes. If they cannot they are not fit to hold office."

He then suggested that those who issue inflammatory remarks should be prosecuted. "Those who employ careless or deliberate remarks cannot be allowed to walk away from the tragic consequences of their mindless incitement. Atrocious remarks lead to atrocious attacks and any condemnation which is qualified is in effect partial condonement.

"There must be discipline by people as individuals and by political leaders if we are to master the tensions of this community," said Mr Rodgers.

Addressing the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, he added: "I am sure you will understand that in the face of such provocative and gutless remarks and attacks, my members are the ones who are heading towards zero tolerance when it come to listening to criticism which calls for reform of this force.

"Over the years the RUC has held this community together when at times it would almost have disintegrated under the pressures of civil disorder. We have stood firm in an unenviable and isolated position doing our best to keep communities from each other's throats.

"At all times we have worked to bring communities together in support of the rule of law. We are now being portrayed by our enemies as part of the problem of Northern Ireland rather than its essential protective binding."

Mr Rodgers said the RUC wanted to become a police service capable of commanding "province-wide community support well into the 21st century". At present the RUC worked in the "most hostile and thankless policing environment in the world" and it had "had enough of destructive criticism".

"If there is something fundamentally wrong in Northern Ireland then it should be obvious that the resolution of the problem lies in the hands of the community and not with the RUC."

Dr Mowlam, responding to the speech, praised the work, dedication and sacrifice of the RUC and congratulated the force on its 75th anniversary. She reaffirmed that the new British government planned to effect changes in the RUC and took issue with Mr Rodgers' remarks that police officers were heading towards zero tolerance of reform of the RUC - this she found unhelpful.

"It is unfortunate that so much of the debate on this issue has focused on names and symbols. They are of course significant matters, but we believe now is the time to concentrate on the future structure and style of policing," she said.

Dr Mowlam said she intended bring forward legislation which will clarify the roles of the British government, the Police Authority and the chief constable in policing Northern Ireland, and introduce a number of unspecified measures to increase police accountability and public confidence.

"It is the clear duty of everyone involved in policing Northern Ireland to constantly seek ways of improving police efficiency, enhancing police effectiveness, and increasing public confidence in the police," she told the conference.