UUP considers legal action on police partnerships

The Ulster Unionist Party is considering taking legal action after Newry and Mourne District Council voted last night against joining one of the new District Policing Partnerships.

Sinn Féin had proposed the motion, saying it would not take part in a "toothless" authority which cannot hold the police accountable for their actions.

However, UUP council member Danny Kennedy accused republicans of trying to slip the motion through unnoticed. "Sinn Féin sprung this late at night with no notification just so they could score cheap political points," he said.

"We are questioning with solicitors the legality of allowing the meeting itself," he added.

Last night’s motion was passed by 12 votes to nine after all but one of Sinn Féin’s councillors turned up for the vote. A total of nine unionist, SDLP and independent councillors failed to show.