Northern Ireland

UUP leader criticised over questioning 'independence' of police watchdog probe into Bobby Storey funeral controversy

Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken has been criticised for questioning independence of review into policing of Bobby Storey funeral. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken has been criticised for questioning independence of review into policing of Bobby Storey funeral. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire. Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken has been criticised for questioning independence of review into policing of Bobby Storey funeral. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.

ULSTER Unionist leader Steve Aiken has been criticised for questioning the independence of a police watchdog probe into policing of the Bobby Storey funeral controversy.

It comes amid an escalating row between unionists and Chief Constable Simon Byrne after it emerged noone would be charged in relation to the funeral of the senior republican.


There were reports of trouble between police and loyalists last night on Sandy Row in south Belfast.

It came as some loyalist groups had reportedly said they had withdrawn their support for the PSNI.

The funeral of the former IRA head of intelligence attracted 2,000 mourners - including senior Sinn Féin members last June - when Covid restrictions were in place.

The UUP joined other unionist parties at Stormont in calling for the PSNI chief to step down after it emerged the PSNI had engaged with organisers beforehand.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) cited the prior engagement as one of the reasons it chose not to prosecute 24 Sinn Féin representatives for breaches of coronavirus regulations.

The PPS has said it will review its decision, while the PSNI's policing of last June's funeral is to be examined by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

On Thursday, the assembly passed a motion censuring Sinn Féin ministers for their attendance at the funeral.

Policing Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said policing in Northern Ireland had become "more politicised" adding "it has never been more toxic in our society.

It came as unionists were accused of a "kneejerk" reaction to the controversy after Mr Aiken yesterday questioned the HMIC's probe's independence, likening it to "marking the police service's own homework".

Outlining why he was calling for the chief constable to resign ahead of the HMIC report, the South Antrim MLA said the exercise would not make "any difference".

The SDLP said unionists were pre-empting the outcome of the PPS review and HMIC probe.

"Clear questions for PSNI to answer over inconsistency in approach, but the right place is through the Policing Board and accountability structures," a party spokesperson said.

"Kneejerk statements are unhelpful and do nothing to increase public confidence in policing."

Alliance MLA and Policing Board member John Blair said the "public and political outrage" that followed the funeral was justified.

But he described the current controversy around policing as a "distraction".

"That is not conducive to good policing or indeed public confidence in the institutions."

The South Antrim representative said there was a "serious inconsistency" in agreeing for a review of the policing in relation to the funeral and then "declaring what you want the outcome to be before it even takes place".

"We need calm, not kneejerk reactions and speculation, and to await the outcome of any such review," he said.