SF support for police - Time for unionists to co-operate

The Sinn Féin decision to co-operate with and support the Police Service of Northern Ireland should be warmly welcomed as a monumental step in the ongoing peace process.

In a sense, it marks an end to old methods and it is another significant step in a new approach.

For decades Irish nationalists refused to recognise partition in the apparent belief it would somehow vanish. The Good Friday Agreement provided formal nationalist recognition of the rights of unionists, but some were understandably suspicious, because there always seemed to be some kind of republican caveat.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams essentially explained that the delay in moving on the policing issue resulted from the necessity to enlist as much support as possible.

The 90% approval given to yesterday’s decision leaves no room for any doubt about the will of the party. Mr Adams and his colleague Martin McGuinness have clearly jumped, with the overwhelming support of their party. It is now for the unionist community to respondent.

Mr Adams tactfully called for Ian Paisley to be given some space, but the time has come for unionists to demonstrate leadership.