Controversial officer put in charge of policing in west Belfast

The senior police officer who allowed loyalists to march past the Ardoyne against the wishes of the Parades Commission last summer has been put in charge of policing in nationalist West Belfast.

Chief superintendent David Boultwood allowed hundreds of supporters of an Orange Order parade to march through the flashpoint area last July, despite a Parades Commission ruling that said only the Orangemen should be allowed through the area.

The PSNI subsequently defended the decision, saying it was taken for public order reasons.

However, both Sinn Féin and the SDLP criticised the move.