PSNI refute Sinn Fein remarks
THE PSNI has denied a claim by Sinn Fein that Chief Constable Matt Baggott has approved a financial package for the devolution of policing.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown submitted in written format to the DUP and Sinn Fein the terms of any prospective deal on Monday.
Both parties are currently discussing the matter internally, with Sinn Fein poised to accept Mr Brown’s offer.
Republicans had claimed Mr Baggott believed the Prime Minister’s offer was a “good package”.
However, Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said: “The Chief Constable has not had sight of the details of the settlement for the devolution of policing and justice.
“However we can state that we are encouraged by the progress to date and we look forward to working with the Northern Ireland Policing Board on taking the proposal forward.”
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness will hold a further meeting on Tuesday with the Prime Minister.
Speaking at a dinner for the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust in Belfast on Monday, Mr Robinson admitted the deal on the table “goes beyond anything on offer previously”.
“The issues affect every home in Northern Ireland and I do not exaggerate when I say the difference between an effective and properly funded police service and one starved of resources is, in some cases, the difference between life and death,” he said.
“That is why my approach to devolution has been focused on obtaining the best possible settlement from the Treasury.”
The DUP have maintained the necessary community confidence must be in place before justice powers are devolved to Stormont.
