Lee Reynolds Mark Durkan has called on Sir Ronnie Flanagan to quit as the head of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. He said: “Either he was not in control of a dysfunctional organisation, or he knew full well but kept the truth hidden. In either event, he should not head up the Inspectorate of Constabulary.” UPDATE Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s response here (Hat tip bemused). Lee Reynolds
The Sinn Fein leadership believe they are on course for an Ard Fheis victory after a series of public and private meetings were generally supportive. At one of the meetings in Lurgan, Martin McGuinness dismissed the republican opposition to the policy shift on policing. Lee Reynolds
The speculation is that the Public Prosecution Service has decided not to prosecute the ex-RUC and PSNI officers criticised in O’Loan’s report because of insufficient evidence. If this is correct, this leaves the civil courts as the remaining route for redress. The report will be released tomorrow. The primary impact will of course be upon the families of the victims. However it is likely to feed into the lively policing debate in the nationalist community. Republican opponents will probably argue …
Mitchel Reiss is to end his three year tenure as the USA’s Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. His replacement is Paula DobrianskyPS I am looking feedback on my blogging here. Lee Reynolds
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern has called for the IFA and FAI to amalgamate and an All-Ireland league established. However, the status quo seems to be ok for the FAI who are content to: strengthen the co-operation and development links that are already established with the IFA. A NI fans spokesperson said: We’ve had good times and bad times, but we’re quite happy with our lot UPDATE It is reported in today’s Sunday Life that such a proposal is impossible …
The four main parties and NIO have decided not to release five reports of the Programme for Government sub-committees unless a “strong case is made that they should“. This is hardly a measure that will encourage an unsure electorate.PS I am looking feedback on my blogging here. Lee Reynolds
I had been intending another review of my blogging when I reached 500 but the comments raised here and the fact election fever/blinkers is descending on commentors I decided to do it 21 posts early. The feedback I would like from everyone is about the range of topics, my style and the choice of images I blog. Also as I am a Unionist blogger, are there issues and themes of particular interest to Unionist commenters and readers of slugger that …
It is often argued that local politicians don’t reflect what the people want. However, the latest opinion poll seems to show that the debates within and between the different parties
Church of Ireland Primate-elect Alan Harper has nailed his personal colours to the liberal mast, publicly backing the disestablishment of the Church of England and removal of the Act of SettlementPS I am looking feedback on my blogging here. Lee Reynolds
The Police Ombudsman reports into the Raymond McCord murder and others is to be published next Monday but attempts at “damage limitation” seem to have begun with press leaks of its contents here, here and here with senior RUC officers to be named and charges expected to follow. Lee Reynolds
Gerry Adams has adopted a new approach to the “micro-organisations” and offered to meet with the leaderships of the CIRA, RIRA and INLA to convince them of the merits of Sinn Fein’s approach. PS I am looking feedback on my blogging here. Lee Reynolds
David Ervine’s brother, Brian, has said he is willing to run in the Assembly elections in East Belfast, if the PUP want him too.PS I am looking feedback on my blogging here. Lee Reynolds
The Manchester property company investigated for alleged links to IRA money-laundering has had a further £12m in property assets frozen. In November 2006, this investigation led to £1m in property assets being frozen. Lee Reynolds
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (aka Sir Ronnie Flanaghan) is recommending that the PSNI be reduced to 6028 officers after 2011 (security situation permitting), a cut of 1500 officers. This would still leave police in Northern Ireland 1500 officers larger than an equivalent constabulary in other parts of the United Kingdom. Lee Reynolds
IF there is an executive, the issue of affordable housing will be a significant issue in any in-tray. The local market continues to buck national trends and first time buyers are now virtually forced out of the market or taking on a higher degree of risk through increased income multiples of mortgages. Capital inflows in particular from the Republic of Ireland appear to be skewing the local market with possibly as many as 50% of all new purchases by investors. …
The UUP leader, Sir Reg Empey, wants the DUP to make its mind up now and state whether or not it will share power by the 26th March deadline. A nice soundbyte, a reasonable campaigning ploy and has a ring of logic but is it politically wise for the DUP?If you rule it out now that is a pre-judgement of republican actions and ends the negotiation process with government. If the DUP adopted such a position today they would get …
What Sinn Fein says they got and what the SDLP says SF did and didn’t get (Word document). Lee Reynolds
Paul Berry is to stand in Newry and Armagh as an independent if the election takes place. In his announcement he expressed some concerns about the St Andrews Agreement. Lee Reynolds
How to deal with the past is up for debate again. The Sinn Fein motion has called for: The truth about wrongdoing by British military, intelligence and policing agencies needs to be uncovered and acknowledged. Sinn Féin supports the demands for this from the families of victims. Hugh Orde believes that the existing approach of inquiries is not delivering and chiefly benefiting lawyers not victims. He argues that the Historical Enquiries Team is delivering much more for victims: What we …
Three months of post St Andrews negotiations on MI5, transatlantic phone calls, a prime ministerial holiday cut short, a mini-crisis and a parliamentary statement without anything particularly new to show for it besides an annual review by Lord Carlile and a few details nailed down. It is hard to identify how the November negotiation goals have been acheived. The SDLP launching an assault on Sinn Fein’s ability as negotiators and Sinn Fein on the defensive. Lots of chatter about disquiet …
