The SDLP has described a meeting with the Chief Constable in which the party raised its concerns sparked by the Ombudsman's report into the Omagh investigation as "tough and robust".
The party delegation, which included two of its Policing Board members, Mr Alex Attwood and Mr Joe Byrne, stressed the need for the "immediate and exhaustive" implementation of the Ombudsman's six recommendations as the only way to reassure the people of Omagh and the public.
Mr Attwood said his party had been keen to outline to Sir Ronnie Flanagan its concerns and anxieties in an objective and non-hostile way. "It was clear to me that the Chief Constable still feels a sense of anger and anguish. What was important to us was to get away from all the personal hostility that have been flying around and stick to the facts raised in Mrs O'Loan's report," he told The Irish Times.
"We want to get back to the Ombudsman's six recommendations as the way forward and in our meeting with Sir Ronnie there were early indications that they can provide exactly that basis. It is essential however, that the six recommendations are acted upon and seen to be acted upon to restore confidence in the policing service among many of the people of Omagh." The current situation surrounding the Omagh investigation was a "key moment" for the future of policing in the North, Mr Attwood added.
"For the first time we have seen the new policing institutions, and in particular the Police Ombudsman, call to account the police in an unprecedented and open manner. Because of this process of accountability, there is an opportunity to get things right."
Sir Ronnie had not been prepared to name a date by which he would reply in detail to the various concerns raised in Ms O'Loan's report, which was a "matter of concern", the SDLP chairman said.
"We urgently need a detailed response to the Ombudsman's points and we in the SDLP will keep pushing for such a response." The SDLP delegation also held a meeting with Mrs O'Loan which Mr Attwood described as "constructive". The Police Ombudsman's work was a testament to her independence, high standards and best practice and should not be denied, demeaned or diminished, he added. A sub-committee of the Policing Board is to meet in Belfast today to discuss the ongoing disagreements between the Police Ombudsman and the Chief Constable.
Meanwhile, an Ulster Unionist Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has called on the Northern Secretary, Dr John Reid, to ensure that the current courtroom symbols of crown and harp be maintained. It was "highly significant" that the SDLP and independent members on the Policing Board had been able to agree on a new police badge which contained both the harp and the crown.
It was now up to Dr Reid to maintain the symbols in courtrooms as well, Sir Reg said.