British government plans to press ahead with police reforms in Northern Ireland today triggered a new battle for nationalists' hearts and minds.
As the queen's speech confirmed moves to introduce amendments during the next British Parliament, the SDLP and Sinn Féin accused each other of making huge blunders.
SDLP policing spokesman Mr Alex Attwood claimed his party had been vindicated because the British government now planned to strengthen Police Service of Northern Ireland watchdogs.
He said: "We have been proved right and Sinn Féin have got it wrong."
But the republican party's Mr Gerry Kelly insisted Britain had still to convince the public the Patten blueprint for reforming the force would be honoured.
In the speech delivered to the House of Lords, the queen said: "Legislation will be brought forward on policing in Northern Ireland."
The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill now set to be introduced follows on the Police Act 2000 and implements more of the Patten recommendations.
The new legislation has emerged from British government pledges made in the revised Patten Implementation Plan published in August last year.
That scheme followed the all-party talks held at Weston Park, Staffordshire the previous month.
The SDLP claimed it had won a number of key commitments during those negotiations, including greater powers by the Policing Board and the Ombudsman to launch inquiries and a stronger emphasis on community policing.
Mr Attwood, one of the SDLP members on the board which scrutinises Chief Constable Hugh Orde's performance, insisted the Government was now sticking to the promises it made.
With republicans demanding the complete abolition of Special Branch and the scrapping of baton rounds, he said: "We want to see an unambiguous commitment by the British government to implement the Patten proposals in full.
"Today's speech offered the British government an opportunity to say they would do this. They haven't done that."
But with Secretary of State Mr Paul Murphy planning round table talks with all parties, the Queen said: "In Northern Ireland, my government will continue to work closely with the political parties and the Irish Government to secure the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement."
PA