Other News In Brief

Simon Byrne Resignation Step Towards Rebuilding Confidence – DUP

The resignation of the Chief Constable is the first step towards rebuilding confidence in the PSNI both inside and outside the organisation, DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Speaking from Westminster Sir Jeffrey said: "We welcome the decision by the Chief Constable to step down. It is the right thing to do following last week's ruling by Mr Justice Schofield that the PSNI senior command unlawfully disciplined two of its own officers to appease Sinn Fein.

"Fair and even-handed policing is just as foundational to progress in Northern Ireland as fully functioning political institutions operating on a cross community basis. Public confidence has been damaged, but so too was confidence amongst rank-and-file officers in the police leadership.

"The resignation of the Chief Constable is not an end in itself, but merely an opportunity to make a fresh start in rebuilding that lost confidence both inside and outside the PSNI. At a time when officers are holding the line amidst unprecedented budget cuts it was the minimum necessary to send a message that the organisation is listening to widely held concerns.

"The focus now must be on the future of policing in Northern Ireland and ensuring we have efficient, effective policing which everyone can have confidence is impartial in its actions."

SDLP Welcomes Appointment Of Hilary Benn At Shadow Secretary For NI

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed the appointment of Hilary Benn as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr Eastwood said that the appointment of a senior Labour Party figure is a strong signal from Keir Starmer that the party is serious about addressing the significant issues facing the North.

Colum Eastwood MP said: "I want to thank Peter Kyle for his service as shadow Secretary of State during a very difficult time for people and politics in Northern Ireland. I know that he will continue to have an interest in this place and will remain a supportive voice in the shadow cabinet.

"Hilary Benn is a senior figure in the Labour Party and his appointment as shadow Secretary of State is a serious move by Keir Starmer that underscores his interest in addressing the significant issues facing the North.

"The new shadow Secretary of State, as a former chair of the Commons Brexit Committee, keenly understands many of the issues facing Northern Ireland and I know that he will play a constructive role in attempting to re-establish power sharing. I look forward to working positively with him on these issues right away."

Alliance Welcomes Council U-Turn On Festive Lights

Alliance Belfast City Councillor Michael Long has said that "Christmas is saved" after the Council agreed to U-turn on a proposed cutting of its festive lights.

It follows the Council telling elected representatives the Christmas lighting scheme in the city would need to be scaled back due to budgetary concerns. However, Councillor Long proposed a review of the decision and a special meeting to discuss it.

Belfast City Council has now confirmed the cost will be managed through Departmental underspends or its financial reserves, allowing the lighting scheme to go ahead as initially intended.

"It is understandable finances need to be looked at in the current climate," said Councillor Long.

"However, Christmas is a special time of year and Christmas is particularly outstanding in Belfast, with people coming from miles around to see the lights and experience the atmosphere, spending money and boosting the economy in the process. If the lighting scheme had taken a hit, it would have undoubtedly impacted that and traders would have taken a cut.

"My thanks go to the Council officers, who looked at this situation and were able to adapt by using cash reserves to make up the relatively small shortfall. There is certainly a feeling from many that Christmas is now saved for the city, particularly traders, who faced with rate increases, will need the economic boost Christmas footfall provides."