03/02/2017

PSNI Chief Constable Accepts Flag Protest Ruling

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has apologised to the residents living in the Short strand area in Belfast and others over the handling of the union flag protests.

On Wednesday, 01 February, the Supreme Court ruled that the police were wrong to allow the protests to take place.

Mr Hamilton said that he "accepted and respected the ruling".

He said: "I apologise to the residents of the Short strand and to anyone else who was inconvenienced by this parade.

"We welcome the strong acknowledgement of the Police Service's operational independence and the fact that the police must be allowed discretionary judgement in what, the Supreme Court recognised are, often very challenging and fraught circumstances. The judgement points out that the difficulties in making police decisions should not be underestimated."

(CD/LM)

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