Northern Ireland's new Policing Board tonight moved to resolve the dispute
over next week's graduation ceremony for the first batch of recruits to the new police service.
Ulster Unionist MLA and Policing Board member Fred Cobain threatened on Tuesday to boycott the ceremony on April 5 if outgoing Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne were given a ceremonial role.
However in a joint statement expressing regret over the row, the Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn would be the reviewing officer at the ceremony at Garnerville.
Mr Flanagan, who steps down as the PSNI's Chief Constable on Sunday to take up a role with Britain’s Inspectorate of Constabulary will be a distinguished guest and address the new officers.
Commissioner Pat Byrne will be an honoured guest.
The joint statement said: "Both the Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland deeply regret the media speculation around this very important day for the student officers, their families and the police service.
"We wish to put an end to this speculation which is detracting from the significance of the gradation day at Garnerville. All members of the Policing Board are delighted to have received invitations for April 5.
"The convening officer, Acting Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn will be the reviewing officer. He will be accompanied by the head of Foundation Faculty, Superintendent Roy Fleming. Sir Ronnie Flanagan will attend the ceremony as a distinguished guest and will have a speaking role at the graduation proceedings, along with Professor Gerry McKenna, the vice chancellor of the University of Ulster.
"The board is sponsoring a student officer prize in the module relating to community policing and the chairman of the board, Professor Desmond Rea will make this presentation. He will also be involved in the handing over of the new Standard of the Police Service of Northern Ireland."
PA