Northern Ireland

Donaldson: Crossmaglen blueprint most politically naive paper in my lifetime

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the end goal of the report appeared to be the creation of all-Ireland policing structures
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the end goal of the report appeared to be the creation of all-Ireland policing structures Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the end goal of the report appeared to be the creation of all-Ireland policing structures

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is “demanding answers” over plans to transform policing in south Armagh – which have been welcomed by nationalists and republicans.

The wide-ranging blueprint recommends joint cross-border policing and the closure of the highly fortified Crossmaglen PSNI station.

It also suggests use of Irish language messaging on station signage and says assault rifles should no longer be carried as routine by officers on patrol duties.

An irate Sir Jeffrey last night said the end goal of the report appeared to be the creation of all-Ireland policing structures. This, he warned, would be politically unacceptable.

Ian Knox cartoon 1/9/21 
Ian Knox cartoon 1/9/21  Ian Knox cartoon 1/9/21 

“This is the most politically naive document a chief constable has launched in my lifetime,” he said.

“At best it represents a shocking misapprehension of political sensitivities in Northern Ireland and a crass trespassing on to matters of the highest constitutional significance. I will be meeting the chief constable on Thursday and we will be demanding answers.”

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said his party has told successive chief constables since 2007 that their approach was wrong. His party last night said the community of Crossmaglen was interested in acquiring the station site for development, adding “we will support them in that process”.

SDLP councillor Peter Byrne said people in south Armagh had “waited a long time to get to this point” and echoed Mr Murphy’s assertion that the review was “long overdue”

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster yesterday, DUP MP Gregory Campbell criticised the South Armagh Policing Review document, claiming some recommendations were akin to "using a sledgehammer to crack a nut".

He warned that proposals to explore the relocation of memorials to police officers could lead to similar objections as those in Derry made when the PSNI removed a memorial to murdered RUC officers from the ground floor of Strand Road station in 2016.

"Thankfully the police not only saw sense, but the wider community saw the sensitivities of that," the East Derry MP said.

"If they are going to repeat the same mistake in south Armagh they can hardly expect a different outcome."

Mr Campbell said proposals would be "an impossibility to implement if the chief constable persists in some of these politicisation of the police service".

Meanwhile, UUP MLA and Policing Board member Mike Nesbitt said he would be quizzing PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne about the report on Thursday.

"I want to know what he means by referencing ‘joint policing’ with Garda Síochána and checkpoints that aren't reminiscent of the Troubles," Mr Nesbitt said.

"What is clear is that the proposal with regard to memorials is totally unacceptable. We will not support anything that suggests disrespect for the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives for the community."

South Armagh UUP councillor David Taylor said some proposals in the review caused him "significant concern", adding: "It is unfortunate that some of the recommendations included are very political in nature rather than serving any strategic benefit to policing in the local area. There are major problems with organised crime in the south Armagh area and the public in the area require an assurance that police are able to deliver an effective service on the ground."

TUV leader Jim Allister met PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singelton yesterday to discuss the report, which he described as "shameful".

Speaking of the proposals for cross-border patrols with Garda officers, he said: "This cuts to the heart of sovereignty. No foreign police force should have a say in how policing operates in Northern Ireland."

Mr Allister added: "If this report and its recommendations are approved there will be a duty on all unionists on the Policing Board to immediately resign. They should make this clear today. Nothing less than implacable opposition will do."