Unionist fury at Baggott’s interview
The Chief Constable Matt Baggott has managed to attract the ire of unionists. In an interview with the Belfast telegraph (not on line as yet) He says he would call on police forces in England, Wales or even the Republic, if necessary, to help in investigations and wants to see the PSNI and Garda working even more closely, particularly along the border, which he describes as merely an artificial line when it comes to policing. In addition he said that if he lived in a border area he “would probably be less hung-up on the sensitivities providing my family were being looked after.” Unsurprisingly this has resulted in a furious reaction from unionists:Keith Harbinson the TUV Vice Chairman stated: “The reality is that Mr Baggott doesn’t live in a border area. Perhaps if he did he would share the widespread resentment of Unionists in those areas at the fact that the Irish Republic was effectively a safe-haven for terrorists throughout the Troubles. The inability or reluctance of Garda officers to combat the IRA threat emanating from the south was what made those areas so dangerous over a thirty year period.” and accused Baggott of political meddling: “In a meeting with TUV a few weeks ago the Chief Constable attempted to argue that he was above politics. This, of course, ignored the fact that he had already gone on record as supporting the devolution of policing and justice powers to the failed, terrorist inclusive executive at Stormont. Now he has made a statement, which could easily have emanated from a Sinn Fein/IRA press release.”
The UUP’s Tom Elliot called his views arrogant: “I live in the border area – I have been brought up in the border area. I have seen how the police and members of the public have been constantly targeted by republicans. How therefore can he say that the border is artificial – in saying so he is playing into the dissidents hands.”
“For him to claim that we should be more concerned about the safety of our families is nonsense – of course that is what everyone wants. That should be the entitlement of everyone living within the United Kingdom – that is something the dissidents are trying to disrupt.”
“I understand that cross border cooperation is needed, but his idyllic theories of how ‘it would all be great’ if we could all work together show his ignorance and complete lack of understanding of Northern Ireland’s particular circumstances.”
Ian Paisley Junior stated that:“Commentary of a political nature is not appropriate for someone in such a sensitive post.” and promised to bring the matter up at the Policing Board.
Possibly Mr. Baggott will think a little more carefully about his comments before his next venture into media interviews. He might even try talking to members of the community in Fermanagh (he could use the mobile police station). Whatever his long term ambitions (even if they include a job back in GB) alienating large numbers of politicians within a few weeks of starting the job is hardly clever. In addition as he has already explained his enthusiasm for the devolution of policing and justice, this may not be the cleverest way of encouraging it and indeed if P&J is devolved antagonising his future political masters is not an especially clever idea. Unless of course he thinks that unionists might now try to get policing and justice devolved to help get rid of him????
Hey, I’m loving the ability of our latest PC Plod to shoot his mouth off in whatever direction the NIO tells him to, and in whichever direction he thinks will best take him back to the Met as Commissioner. Unionists should simply file away for future these hugely politicised effusions, and, natch the reaction to them. So when next a Chief Constable says something archly political, and Republicans don’t like it, we’ll cheeringly remind them that they’ve already, long ago sold the pass on senior police officers entering the political arena. This whole rope-a-dope strategy with Republicans may well have something to be said for it after all!
Do Unionist ever start to worry about the fact that any public figure from Great Britain who has any influence on Northern Ireland affairs invariably pisses them off? Chief Constables, Secretaries of States, even Prime Ministers. They are criticised constantly by Unionists what they perceive as almost republic attitudes.
It may be that most englishmen see the border as artificial. I’m sure most Europeans and America. All Irish do. Only a milllion or so people from Belfast don’t, and that’s because they’ve never seen it. It could just easily be the Bann.
Unionist insensibilities blind them to the fact that Northern Ireland will benefit greatly from cooperation in all areas from policing to infrastructure. They’re just worried that if ROI change their road markings, people might forget the border exists
Ive always thought there would be money to be made by painting a line across the road in Newry. Have on bored PSNI guy in a shed sitting opposite bored Guarda. Tourists would love it.
Never once heard a GOC or Brigadier here be so blatantly partisan. The MoD know the value of remaining neutral on such issues.
Lionel H
“They’re just worried that if ROI change their road markings, people might forget the border exists”
In point of fact it’s NI that’s out of step in that respect, owing to a typical British contrariness. The contrariness that has us still using miles and ££s.
Here’s Wiki on the European E01 network:
The European route E 01 is a series of roads in Europe, part of the United Nations International E-road network, running from Larne, Northern Ireland to Seville, Spain. There is a sea crossing between Rosslare Harbour, in Ireland, and A Coruña, but no ferry service. The road also passes through Portugal – past the city of Porto, through the capital, Lisbon, and then south to the Algarve, passing Faro before reaching the Spanish border west of Huelva.
When it hits our shores it magically transforms into the MI. When it hits NI those kilometres become miles. Madness.
Fabianus:
True, but the RoI is the only country in Europe to use US-style yellow-diamond signs, the presence or absence of which is the most obvious sign you’ve crossed the border.
Unionist Ire is bordering on the ridiculous.
The UK land border is not the only line Baggott seems to ignore. His organisation falls well short of the line in effective policing, the provision of a visible presence on the streets and the protection of society’s most vulnerable.
Perhaps the fence line surrounding police HQ is Baggott’s border. Things should be pretty safe inside; although I’m not sure I’d even have the confidence to walk there at night.
any chance of a ‘welcome to northern ireland’ sign erected on the main dublin to belfast motorway ?
What about a bi-lingual sign? Fáilte go Tuaisceart na hÉireann?
Tuaisceart na hEireann, or Tuaisceart Eireann?
He he
Ok then – Fáilte go Tuaisceart Éireann
feckin’ pedantic mumblegrumble…
Unbelievable but highly entertaining !
Poor old Matt gets it in the neck for stating the obvious……………
Seimi
A Dublin friend of mine calls it Douchebag na Eireann. I never know if he’s insulting me or somebody else….
na hÉireann….
“What about a bi-lingual sign? Fáilte go Tuaisceart na hÉireann? ”
Hoots mon a cribbins dinnae fuget Olster-Scods.
Fair Fa Ye tae Norn Iron?
Fabianus, a Dubliner calling it Douchebag na hÉireann? He’s insulting himself.
I resent this! What happened to inclusivity?
مرحبا بكم في ايرلندا الشمالية
Seimi
No, he’s referring to NI. He doesn’t have much of an opinion of the place, apart from the prices Sainsbury charge him for his alcohol fix.
Inclusivity has been excluded. Be told!
Apart from his visits to Sainsburys, has he actually spent any time here?
Seimi
He’s spent a lot of time here, but he doesn’t remember much of it.
(This may have some connection with Sainsbury’s.)