Category: News

The Stormont House Agreement proposals are the best way of dealing with the legacy of the past, Alliance MLA John Blair has told the new PSNI Chief Constable.

Alliance Policing Board member Mr Blair was speaking after attending an introductory meeting with Simon Byrne, alongside party colleagues Stephen Farry MLA and Councillor Sorcha Eastwood.

Mr Blair said it was a good opportunity to examine policing priorities and strategies under the new leadership, on issues such as legacy, Brexit, the ongoing terrorist threat, policing in the community and others.

“While we raised many matters with the Chief Constable, foremost among them was the legacy of the past and the Stormont House Agreement proposals relating to it. We shared our concern with him that legacy, which remains a policing responsibility, is more in need of those solutions than it has ever been. We were also able to give him our assurance Alliance will continue to work to achieve the realistic and fair solutions contained in Stormont House.

“In addition, we were able to set out our positon on the vital need for a police service which is truly representative of today’s society and how policing, reaching every sector of that society, feeds directly to confidence in policing overall.

“Other matters were also discussed, including challenges to policing under the no deal Brexit now almost being championed by the Conservative leadership contenders and how PCSPs can work better in bringing police closer to all communities.

“I hope the Chief Constable takes onboard the issues raised and sets out his priorities for the years ahead accordingly. We wish him well in doing so.”

There is a pressing need to clearly define hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland, Alliance representatives have told a senior judge carrying out a review of the issue.

John Blair MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA were speaking after meeting with Judge Desmond Marrinan to discuss his independent review of hate crime, with the goal of making the reporting and sentencing procedure more easily understood. A full consultation is expected in October, with recommendations expected to be published in May 2020.

“This constructive meeting was ahead of Alliance’s formal response to the upcoming consultation,” said Mr Blair.

“Alliance believes we need to clearly define hate crime and put steps in place to recognise both the seriousness of these crimes through appropriate recording and sentencing. We encouraged Judge Marrinan to consider, where appropriate, restorative measures to enable individual and societal change.”

His colleague Kellie Armstrong MLA said she encouraged people to participate in the consultation when it is released.

“We confirmed with the judge we support the inclusion of crimes against transgender people, age and those that are sectarian alongside race, gender, disability and sexual orientation within hate crime legislation.

“We also want to see the team working on the review work with the social inclusion and diversity team to ensure all strategies are aligned with the outcomes.”

“Hyperbolic rhetoric” from Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson will do nothing but divide our society further, Alliance MLA John Blair has said.

Mr Blair was speaking after Ms Anderson’s speech at a hunger strike commemoration rally in Strabane, in which she said the UK Government’s “days were numbered in Ireland,” “you will not be closing our roads…blocking our bridges…reinforcing partition,” before ending with “tiocfaidh ar la”.

“These are deeply unhelpful comments from Martina Anderson that will do nothing but divide our society further,” he said.

“For anyone in our society who identifies as British and who is told by Sinn Féin they will be welcome in a united Ireland, this speech will be seen as nothing but offensive and hyperbolic rhetoric. For others, they will see this as inflammatory language which will not help the talks to restore the Assembly.

“People have a right to remember their dead respectfully but this was not that. This will have done nothing to move our community forward or heal the hurt felt by so many across all sections of our society.

“Martina Anderson needs to show more respect and display leadership, stepping away from verbal outbursts designed to aid confrontation and recall years of conflict. She should apologise and recognise the hurt her comments will have caused.”

Alliance Policing Board member John Blair MLA has congratulated new PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, as he takes up the role.

He will succeed George Hamilton as the PSNI’s fifth chief constable. South Antrim MLA Mr Blair said he would face many tests in the position.

“I congratulate Simon Byrne and wish him every success in the role, which will no doubt be incredibly challenging,” said Mr Blair.

“However, judging by his dedication to delivering policing for all, I am confident he can meet them – from tackling the dissident threat to increasing confidence across the community in policing, particularly in the summer months.

“I look forward to working closely with him on the Policing Board and helping him do his part in delivering a shared society for everyone in Northern Ireland.”