Other News In Brief

Shortage Of Police Response Vehicle Drivers 'Deeply Concerning' - Nesbitt

A shortage of police officers trained to drive police response vehicles has been described as "deeply concerning" by Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt.

Raising the issue at a meeting of the Policing Board Mr Nesbitt questioned why the issue had never been raised by the PSNI in discussions with the Board. The Chief Constable stated that the issue was logged in the PSNI's Risk Register which is available to the Policing Board. Having checked the Register, Mr Nesbitt has written to Simon Byrne stating that he is "deeply unhappy that this significant issue has not been raised by the PSNI in any written or verbal briefing to the Policing Board".

Mr Nesbitt said that he can only react to information that he is given and that he regrets that his "knowledge of the drivers’ issue was gleaned anecdotally".

SDLP Calls For General Election To Force Johnson Removal

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called for an immediate General Election to force the removal of Boris Johnson.

Mr Eastwood has said that the refusal of Mr Johnson to immediately give up power after losing the confidence of his cabinet, his government and his party is unacceptable and that the only way to remove his grip on government is to force a general election.

The Foyle MP said that his party would back a motion of no confidence in Johnson and fight a general election to create a progressive coalition of Labour, SDLP, SNP and other MPs to put the Tories out of power.

Colum Eastwood MP said: "If there's one thing that we have learned over the last week, it is that virtually no Tory MP can be trusted to do the right thing. Only when it was in their own personal political self-interest did Johnson's own cabinet members, and now leadership hopefuls, deign to take action to remove him from government. And even now, faced with a tidal wave of evidence that he is unfit to hold office, there are many who continue to seek his patronage.

"Johnson's departure from government, when it comes, will be welcome. But the institutional cowardice and naked careerism that infects the Tory top ranks remains a serious threat to good government and specifically to the interests of people in Northern Ireland. With no Executive, no programme for government, a threat to justice for victims and the threat to international law presented by the protocol legislation, we need political leaders with moral fortitude and integrity. By those measures, the Tory leadership candidates fall far short.

"Johnson should have left government immediately. If he will not leave office then his death grip on power should be broken by a confidence motion in the House of Commons. The SDLP will support others to make that happen and we are now calling for a general election to clear the whole Conservative Party out of power. Returning more Labour, SDLP, SNP and other progressive MPs will create a coalition that can put an end to twelve years of Tory rule.

"This government cannot be trusted to do what is right for people and communities in Northern Ireland. So it is right that the people should be given the opportunity to have their say and put them out of power."

PSNI Questioned Over 'Threatening And Destructive' Paramilitary Activity

Alliance MLA John Blair has questioned the PSNI over on-going "threatening and destructive" loyalist paramilitary activity.

Speaking during this week's Policing Board meeting, Mr Blair asked if the PSNI were involved in or aware of any reassessment of the threat such criminals pose to national security and the safety of our community.

He added: "We still have a way to go to rid our society of the scourge of paramilitarism and recent reports of a sinister nature are extremely worrying.

"A perceived increase in high profile activities of loyalist paramilitaries – in some cases with arrests being made – signals we are entering worrying times. Yet we can all come together to deliver better for everyone in Northern Ireland.

"I made a point of raising this at the Policing Board as it is crucial the PSNI is across the detail of these threats, reassessing them as these loyalist paramilitaries become more active, either to national security or to communities and the safety of everyone caught up in the cycle.

"I will continue to push this issue with the Policing Board to ensure we do all we can to rid our streets of those who assume control."