Lee Reynolds

Newton Emerson outlines one area of police performance that everyone should want to make Sir Hugh Orde and the PSNI accountable on, their investigation of murders. Lee Reynolds

Who needs the Belfast Agreement or St Andrews? Others worked out how to solve our difficulties by a simpler means, the threatened nuclear destruction of Belfast. Hat tip to NIRsucks and to Art Hostage and P O’Neill I am afraid this proves slugger’s inherent bias towards crappy american cartoons. Lee Reynolds

For those interested the Queen’s annual message is available in podcast here. For those who want the jist of it a summary here. For those who don’t care eat, drink and be merry. Lee Reynolds

The Sunday Independent is claiming two members of the IRA Army Council have resigned over the policing issue (membership reqd). They allege that they are from Tyrone and West Belfast and were the replacements of McGuinness and Adams on the Council. Lee Reynolds

It isn’t nice to have to work on Christmas Day. It is something that has been required of essential services – water, police, fire, health service etc. However, I was surprised to visit my local garage to see a sign boasting it would be open for 4 hours tomorrow during LUNCHTIME (10am – 2pm). Personally I think it is a disgrace and promptly went to the other garage that is doing the decent thing and giving their staff Xmas day …

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The latest figures of public sector finances have been released. They show direct taxation figures are at their highest since records began 20 years ago, taking 23.6p in a £1 compared with 18.7p in a £1 in 1997. This is before indirect taxation. The Treasury argues that despite the headline figures people are better off in real terms: “As a result of all tax and benefit reforms introduced since 1997, all households will be on average £1,000 a year better …

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The bill for the government inquiries into events in the Troubles has topped £200m. Interestingly: “Two of those inquiries – concerning collusion in the murders of Mrs Nelson and Robert Hamill – have already cost more than the full inquiry into the racist murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. The Lawrence Inquiry was considered thorough and produced a highly significant report. The scale of Bloody Sunday sets it apart but why are the other local inquiries unable to achieve the …

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As with all holiday periods news is hard to find and today is a fine example. The Guardian have their shocking expose of the BNP, problem is there are next to no shocks in it. Apparently the BNP is guilty of “secrecy and deception” and encourages its members not to use racist language. For all the supposed “secrecy” the investigative journalist was given a party position and inside information within weeks of joining. He admits, almost with a hint of …

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The Newry Democrat claims Kathy Stanton was told a week in advance she was to be deselected: “She cited personal commitments for her decision, but reliable Republican sources have told the Democrat that she had been approached by party officials one week prior to a selection convention in the Old Park area and told she was being stood down. Lee Reynolds

Levels of confidence in the PSNI among the Catholic and Protestant communities are now almost equal (79% and 80% respectively) but satisfaction in PSNI performance is down, Catholics 49% (down 4%) and Protestants 54% (down 8%). Lee Reynolds

The Coroner at the inquest into the loyalist murder of Sunday World journalist, Martin O’Hagan has praised his bravery. Lee Reynolds

The PIRA members convicted of the murder of Garda Gerry McCabe have had their latest appeal dismissed. Lee Reynolds

Michael Stone’s defence lawyer has claimed that the Stormont incident was an act of performance art. Lee Reynolds

In Northern Ireland, a feasibility study recommends that One-Stop Shop for victims be piloted (most likely in East Antrim). This OSS would provide straightforward access to: “police services, legal advocacy, solicitors, personal support services, safety planning, housing services, medical treatment and advice on benefits, finance etc.” A ‘sanctuary’ programme would be included in its services. Full report here (pdf file). Today, Ruth Kelly has announced a £74m funding package to fund such santuary schemes in England and Wales. Lee Reynolds

The Today Programme is asking people to nominate legislation they wish to see repealed. The final six will be put to a public vote. I’m with author A L Kennedy, repeal the ID Cards Act (Realplayer reqd). Lee Reynolds

Ulster voters may have two visits to the polling booth next year. The Lib Dems are preparing for it. Labour Chairman Hazel Blears speculated about it. The Conservatives have called for it. Will we have a Westminster election in October 2007? Or will the fact most political parties are skint hold off the democratic process? Lee Reynolds

The Criminal Justice Inspectorate has criticised the quality of police training after discovering that probationers lack the skills to deal with common crimes: “Officers attending volume crime scenes are often probationer constables in their first two years of service yet inspectors were told that when probationer officers arrive at their allocated District Command Unit from police college they lacked sufficient investigatory skills to deal with the range of investigations they were expected to undertake.” Lee Reynolds

The case between Rhonda Paisley and the DUP has ended with an out of court settlement that involves the adoption of new recruitment procedures and an apology. Lee Reynolds

The Bill of Rights Forum held its inaugural meeting today but the body charged with giving the project some fresh impetus seems to be the same old gather-ups. The Forum is made up of 14 politicians, 14 representatives from wider civic society and an independent chair. However, not all the civic society representatives have been confirmed and the independent chair will not be appointed until early next year (David Hanson chaired this morning’s meeting). It has been given the target …

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DUP proposals on the policing and justice ministry have been rejected by Sinn Fein. The DUP had proposed that the appointment of a future minister be tied to a cross-community vote. These proposals would most certainly mean neither the DUP nor SF would get the ministerial post (for at least one assembly term). Lee Reynolds