Blair to push ahead with police reform

The government's legislative programme for the next parliamentary session, which was set out in the Queen's Speech today, has revealed that the government intends to push ahead with the full implementation of the Patten recommendations.

During the speech at the Palace of Westminster this morning, Her Majesty said: "In Northern Ireland, my government will continue to work closely with the political parties and the Irish government to secure the full implementation of the Belfast agreement. Legislation will be brought forward on policing in Northern Ireland."

The UUP's home affairs spokesperson Lady Sylvia Hermon gave a "cautious welcome" to the legislative changes outlined in the Queen's Speech.

Speaking from Westminster, Lady Hermon said: "Like previous legislation on police reform, the devil will undoubtedly be in the detail and I certainly expect to see those details fairly soon.

"Since previous police reform caused so much damage to unionist confidence in the Agreement, I sincerely hope that the government has learned its lesson from that experience and will not be so foolish as to attempt to force through yet more unnecessary and ill-advised changes.

"Any such legislation should seek to right the wrongs of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 rather than exacerbate them. I trust the government will listen to this advice."

Earlier this week, Sinn Féin's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness said that the Queen's Speech would be a "litmus test" of the British government's commitment to implementing the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr McGuinness said: "In recent weeks the British Prime Minister has twice admitted that he has not implemented the Agreement in full and has called for acts of completion to achieve this.

"In terms of policing this means the full implementation of the Patten proposals and the creation of the new beginning to policing demanded by the Agreement.

However, Mr McGuinness added: "The British government has accepted that these proposals fall short of Patten. An accountable and acceptable policing service is central to the success of the Peace Process.

"The Queen's Speech will demonstrate whether the British government intends to implement Patten in full. That is the litmus test of their commitment to acts of completion."

(GMcG)