Other News In Brief

East Belfast Security Alert Ends

Police have reported that a security alert in the Dundela Street area of east Belfast has now ended.

Detective Sergeant Natalie Ash said: "Police and Ammunition Technical Officers attended the scene following the discovery of a suspicious object. A controlled explosion was carried out on the pipe bomb type device which has been now been declared as viable and has been taken away for further examination.

"The cordon has now been removed and the road has fully re-opened. Enquiries are continuing and we would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding during this time.

"Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information about the incident or who may be able to help with the investigation, is asked to call police at on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number  208 of 25/10/22, or to submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/."

SDLP Nominated Mark H Durkan As Policing Board Representative

The SDLP has nominated Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan to be its new representative on the Policing Board, to replace previous representative Sinéad McLaughlin.

Party Leader Colum Eastwood acknowledged the current pressures impacting policing in the North but said the PSNI still has work to do to address issues within the police service.

Mr Eastwood said Mr Durkan would work to hold the PSNI to account, while advocating for a police service that truly reflects the community it represents and holds their confidence.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said: "This is a challenging time for policing in the North, with funding uncertainty impacting the PSNI's budget and threatening officer numbers and vital services. Despite these challenges, I believe the police service still has much work to do to address the concerns raised in recent months, particularly around outstanding legacy issues, a lack of representation and community confidence.

"These difficulties aside, policing has undoubtedly been one the success stories of the peace process, having been transformed in the last two decades. I am delighted to appoint Mark H Durkan to the Policing Board, he is vastly experienced and I know he will work to hold the police to account and ensure the best possible police service for people across the North."

Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: "The SDLP has always understood the importance of fostering a positive relationship between our police service and communities across the North and I am grateful for the opportunity of carrying on the good work of my predecessors on the Policing Board.

"During my political career I have worked with the PSNI both on the ground in Derry and in a wider context as both a Minister and MLA and that's something I am looking forward to building on going forward.

"The greatest challenge facing our police service at the moment is one around resources and that's something we must see addressed in the near future before it impacts on officer numbers and the PSNI's ability to combat crime. To deliver the best police service possible we need to see our institutions functioning and a multi-year budget in place to provide certainty for the future. I will also work to ensure that the North has a police service that is reflective of, and holds the confidence and consent of the communities they serve."

Alliance Urge New PM To Prioritise Reform Of NI Institutions

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA has urged new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to prioritise reform of the institutions to end "ransom politics".

Mrs Long said: "The new Prime Minister needs to take the opportunity to have a fresh approach to Northern Ireland.

"However, looking wider, he will still be implementing a Conservative agenda and we will be entering a new period of austerity, particularly as we continue to deal with the fall-out of Brexit.

"Locally, the lack of an Executive is compounding the cost of living crisis and the unprecedented pressures on our public services and finances. Northern Ireland needs stable and sustainable Government.

"Rishi Sunak needs to recognise, even if a solution to the Protocol can be agreed with the EU, there remains an inherent instability at the heart of our institutions. The Protocol is only the latest in a long line of grievances to have collapsed Stormont. Until the institutions are reformed to remove the vetoes the largest parties wield over Executive formation, the crisis-collapse cycle will continue.

"As this week's deadline for the formation of an Executive fast approaches, the need for reform is more pressing than ever. Allowing those willing to participate in an Executive to do so would secure the long-term viability of the institutions and stop them being held hostage by any single in future.

"Another election, with or without a deal on the Protocol solves nothing. In fact, it could harden positions and make resolution more intractable. Reform is the only route to stability and ending ransom politics for good."