THE PSNI has been accused of "rank hypocrisy" for removing a derogatory sign about Margaret Thatcher but failing to take down a poster of Billy Wright.
Last week The Irish News reported security source claims that police had previously removed a display hailing the death of Ms Thatcher.
The PSNI has now confirmed that officers did take down a sign in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, around the time of the British Prime Minister's death.
Inspector Roy Robinson said: "Police removed a hardboard sign that made reference to the death of Margaret Thatcher, from a main arterial route into Enniskillen in April 2013."
It emerges amid concern over the PSNI's handling of concerns surrounding a banner in Co Tyrone about ex-UVF leader Billy Wright.
The controversial display was recently erected on a lamppost in the Eastvale Avenue area of Dungannon.
It carried the quote, "I would look back and say Cappagh was probably my best" – an apparent reference to the UVF murder of three IRA men and a civilian in 1991.
Police said they were treating the banner as a "hate incident" but came under fire for failing to step in to remove it.
There was further anger when in response a senior officer said police "must attempt to achieve a balance between the rights of one community over another".
Dungannon-based inspector Keith Jamieson said the banner "will be perceived by some to be offensive, but not by others".
It was later removed and replaced by a new design with no reference to the Cappagh killings, but instead showing Wright in front of Drumcree Church in Portadown.
Police said the original was removed "following consultation with local representatives and the community", but The Irish News understands it was taken down after it was slashed by a man with a Stanley knife who fled the scene.
The original banner was reported some weeks ago to police as "incitement to hatred" by the SDLP's Patsy McGlone.
The Mid Ulster MLA yesterday said the PSNI's different approaches "smacks of rank hypocrisy".
"There are clearly very serious questions for the PSNI to answer about the apparent hierarchy they have created when it comes to dealing with grossly offensive displays," he said.
"Why is it that posters they deem to be offensive relating to Margaret Thatcher are removed without delay but those which glorify sectarian murders carried out by Billy Wright are left to compound the pain of victims?
"The vastly different approach applied to two communities is disturbing and unacceptable. The PSNI must now explain why a poster about the death of Margaret Thatcher is more offensive than one denigrating the victims of a sectarian murderer. It smacks of rank hypocrisy.
"My party colleague Nichola Mallon will be putting these questions to the chief constable at the Policing Board this week.
"This hierarchy of hurt must be dismantled and the PSNI must be seen to treat all such incidents equally."
The PSNI did not offer any further comment on Monday night when asked why the Margaret Thatcher display had been removed.
