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27/11/2002
Police reforms could lead to 'disastrous one-way truth commission'
Ulster Unionist Policing Board member Fred Cobain has said that the government's proposed policing legislation could lead to a "disastrous one-way truth commission".
Among the new police reforms tabled by the British government are plans to extend the scope of Nuala O'Loan's investigations.
But Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain warned tensions could spiral if her office was allowed to carry out retrospective probes into alleged wrongdoing by RUC officers over the past 30 years.
The North Belfast Assembly member said: "This would be a disaster. People would be calling for inquiries into all security force activity when we need to draw a line under all of this. Look at the problems with Bloody Sunday – it's going to be like that 10 times over. This is going to end up as a one-sided truth commission with unionists being further alienated."
Mr Cobain, who sits on the Policing Board which holds chief constable Hugh Orde to account, claimed the draft legislation could see the body on a collision course with Mrs O'Loan's office.
"This is going to change her status so she can make recommendations. Police policy is a matter for the board but the ombudsman will have a direct impact on that. And who's going to speak for all those slaughtered by the paramilitaries?"
The SDLP policing spokesperson Alex Attwood has welcomed the proposals, saying: "The SDLP is determined to get the devolution of policing and justice powers.
"We welcome the Secretary of State's willingness to hand control of this crucial area to the executive."
He said that the SDLP would discuss the proposals at tomorrow's talks on the review of the Agreement. The meeting will be chaired by Northern Ireland secretary Paul Murphy and the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
(GMcG)
Among the new police reforms tabled by the British government are plans to extend the scope of Nuala O'Loan's investigations.
But Ulster Unionist MLA Fred Cobain warned tensions could spiral if her office was allowed to carry out retrospective probes into alleged wrongdoing by RUC officers over the past 30 years.
The North Belfast Assembly member said: "This would be a disaster. People would be calling for inquiries into all security force activity when we need to draw a line under all of this. Look at the problems with Bloody Sunday – it's going to be like that 10 times over. This is going to end up as a one-sided truth commission with unionists being further alienated."
Mr Cobain, who sits on the Policing Board which holds chief constable Hugh Orde to account, claimed the draft legislation could see the body on a collision course with Mrs O'Loan's office.
"This is going to change her status so she can make recommendations. Police policy is a matter for the board but the ombudsman will have a direct impact on that. And who's going to speak for all those slaughtered by the paramilitaries?"
The SDLP policing spokesperson Alex Attwood has welcomed the proposals, saying: "The SDLP is determined to get the devolution of policing and justice powers.
"We welcome the Secretary of State's willingness to hand control of this crucial area to the executive."
He said that the SDLP would discuss the proposals at tomorrow's talks on the review of the Agreement. The meeting will be chaired by Northern Ireland secretary Paul Murphy and the Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen.
(GMcG)
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