Protestant police applicants urged to seek EU compensation

Police applicants in the North shunned under the controversial 50/50 recruitment practice could apply to Europe for compensation, an MLA said today.

Ken Robinson is urging the minister of finance to seek EU funding for hundreds of candidates turned down at the final hurdle because they are Protestant.

50/50 was recommended by Chris Patten to increase the number of Catholics in the police service and larger numbers of aspiring Protestant members often lose out.

Ulster Unionist Assemblyman Robinson said: “There are people who are falling through the grating because of this policy.

“It isn’t right that we should have an institutionalised way of excluding people without actually compensating them.”

He wants Minister Peter Robinson to apply for part of a kitty worth 3.2bn euro (£2.2bn) to fight labour market discrimination.

The EQUAL 2007-20013 initiative looks at new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality experienced by those in work and those looking for a job.

Mr Robinson is to raise the matter with the DUP minister at Stormont today during oral questions.

Catholic representation is over 21% in the PSNI and growing.

The policy overcame its latest hurdle in March when the House of Lords passed the law’s renewal by 141 votes to 97.

Most unionists believe the reverse discrimination is counter-productive.

The government and nationalists have endorsed it in an effort to make the force more acceptable to Catholics.

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is to take oral questions in the Assembly for the first time.

He will be quizzed about efforts to eradicate child poverty and steps to create a new Civic Forum.

A private member’s motion from SDLP representative Carmel Hanna will call upon Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to ensure that all carers, formal and informal, can access services and support to maintain their own health and well-being and financial recognition.

The final stages of the Budget and Welfare Reform Bills will also be considered in the chamber.