Murphy: ex-paramilitaries 'can join police board'

Former paramilitary prisoners will be allowed to serve on local policing boards in Northern Ireland if republicans and loyalist terror groups complete the transition from violence, Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said today.

As the British government released details of additional police reform legislation in Northern Ireland, it emerged former IRA and loyalists prisoners could be allowed to serve on district policing partnerships if the paramilitary groups ceased their violence and other activities for good.