Hain urges SF to back policing and boost devolution drive

Republicans should engage in policing to boost crunch power-sharing talks this autumn, the Northern Secretary said today.

Peter Hain urged Sinn Féin to join policing structures like the Policing Board and District Policing Partnerships to pave the way for devolved Government by November 24.

He was speaking at a press conference in Belfast marking the start of intense dialogue aimed at restoring the Northern Assembly and Executive.

“I think it is imperative that Sinn Féin co-operate with policing on a practical day-to-day basis,” he said.

“They have started to do that and I think there should be more of that.”

He added there should be no reason for policing to become an obstacle or hurdle to devolution.

“Progress by Sinn Féin will ease the way and will also boost confidence in the unionist community.”

Mr Hain was speaking as the Policing Board published a largely positive human rights assessment of the PSNI.

The paper, drawn up by expert lawyers Keir Starmer and Jane Gordon, praised the service for their handling of this summer’s contentious parades.

There was limited trouble and troops were not deployed for the first time in 35 years.

The report said: “In respect of the Tour of the North parade on June 16 (north Belfast, 2006), the Whiterock parade (West Belfast) on June 24 and the Ardoyne parades (north Belfast) on July 12, we conclude that the strategic, tactical and operational planning of the policing operation was careful and considered.

“The policing of each of the parades on the day was operationally effective and demonstrated a high degree of flexibility and sensitivity.”

Senior officers met loyalist demonstrators and nationalist residents before the flashpoint events, a significant step for Sinn Féin which prompted a low-key security presence.

The report authors examined how 99 recommendations made in 2005 in their last report had been dealt with. A total of 21 have yet to be acted on.

There were gaps in auditing human rights training materials and the PSNI was ordered to review its policies for human rights compatibility.

Another 45 recommendations were made this year.

Mr Starmer said some of the police’s work had been “groundbreaking” and praised their openness.

The document noted an increase in the number of complaints against officers but added the number of those acted on was relatively small.

There were 3,108 allegations sparking five prosecutions and 14 cases of disciplinary action.

The dossier ordered a review of the Northern Ireland Office’s decision to abolish its Independent Commissioner for Detained Terrorist Suspects.

It requested a review of policies of covert policing and called on the PSNI to ensure the future transfer of national security powers in the North to MI5 doesn’t affect the force’s compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde said race crime was one of the force’s main challenges and called for further dialogue on parades.

“We are very pleased that the marching season passed off without incident. Such a peaceful season doesn’t happen by accident,” he said.

“The more predictable a marching season can become through conversations and dialogue the more proportionate a policing operation can become.”