PSNI crisis: Police Federation vote no confidence in bosses

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton is in command of the PSNI until a new chief constable is in post

The crisis in Northern Ireland policing has deepened after the organisation that represents officers unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton.

The Police Federation also voted no confidence in two other senior staff.

They are Chief Operating Officer Pamela McCreedy and Assistant Chief Officer Clare Duffield.

Mr Hamilton was placed in command of the PSNI on Monday after Simon Byrne resigned as chief constable.

He quit after mounting pressure following a number of controversies.

The Policing Board, which oversees the PSNI, said Mr Hamilton would "exercise all the functions of the chief constable" until a successor is appointed.

'Uncharted territory'

The deputy chief constable was due to attend the extraordinary meeting of the Police Federation but, in a statement, the PSNI said he had "been unable to do so due to an unplanned medical procedure".

The head of the federation, Liam Kelly, said the PSNI is "in dire need of clear and strong leadership".

"There was also heavy criticism of the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) and the manner in which it handled the fall-out from the ongoing crisis and the need for a review of its effectiveness and role, specifically the interference it had in operational decision-making," he added.

The policing board is due to meet tomorrow to discuss terms of reference for the appointment of a new chief constable and the review of senior PSNI leadership.

Simon Byrne (left) stepped down as Chief Constable after two major controversies hit the PSNI in succession

A spokesperson for the board said it would not be making any comment regarding the Police Federation vote until members had the opportunity to discuss it.

Ulster Unionist Mike Nesbitt, a Policing Board member, described the current situation as "unprecedented", adding that he did not believe Mr Hamilton could continue in the role after the no confidence vote.

However, he also said current legislation for policing has "no facility to deal with" a scenario where both the chief constable and deputy chief constable step down.

"Without either of them, I think we're in uncharted territory," he added.

Analysis: Who is going to lead the PSNI?

This is not a binding vote but it piles the pressure on Mark Hamilton.

With rank-and-file officers unanimously saying they don't back him, some feel Mr Hamilton has been left with little choice but to go.

So the big question - who leads?

Potentially it could fall to Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan, another senior PSNI officer, but the legislation that dictates what happens when a chief constable resigns doesn't carry rules for the scenario we're now in.

The Policing Board may now need to expedite its appointment process for the next chief constable.

It meets tomorrow. For now that meeting is in private but, given the controversy, calls for it to be public may grow.

Why are PSNI leaders under pressure?

Mr Byrne left his role as chief constable after two major controversies hit the PSNI in succession.

Firstly, in August, a number of data breaches came to light, including one where the names and details of the PSNI's 10,000 officers and civilian staff were published in error as part of a Freedom of Information request.

Mr Byrne later said the information was in the hands of dissident republicans, who could use the list to generate "fear and uncertainty".

This led to some staff saying they fear for their safety due to continuing threats from paramilitaries.

An independent-led review is due to be carried out into the breaches.

Then, last Tuesday, a court ruled two junior officers were unlawfully disciplined following an arrest at a Troubles commemoration in February 2021.

The event was marking the anniversary of the 1992 Sean Graham bookmakers attack where five people were murdered by loyalist paramilitaries.

The judge said the officers were disciplined to allay any threat of Sinn Féin abandoning its support for policing in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin has denied this.

'Crisis situation'

Speaking further on the no confidence votes, Mr Nesbitt said that a lot of money had gone into creating four new PSNI roles, of which Ms McCreedy and Ms Duffield were two.

"Is the PSNI a better more effective, efficient organisation because they are there? I cannot put my hand on my heart and say yes," he told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

Earlier, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson called for someone to be brought in externally to lead the PSNI in an interim role until a new chief constable is appointed.

Mark Hamilton was appointed PSNI deputy chief constable in February 2020

The DUP leader told MPs that as this was a "crisis situation", an officer with "experience and leadership credentials" was needed to take control.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris was non-committal, saying: "I'm sure that questions are being asked to see what can be done in this space."

• Who could replace Simon Byrne?

• PSNI data breach could cost police force up to £240m, MPs hear

Mr Hamilton has been a police officers for almost 30 years and was appointed PSNI deputy chief constable in February 2020.

His previous roles within the organisation have included north and west Belfast area commander and head of the legacy and justice department.