Policing Board rejects criticism of its handling of PSNI crisis

Policing Board chair Deirdre Toner and vice-chair Edgar Jardine at a press conference following a meeting in Belfast of the board on Thursday

The Northern Ireland Policing Board has rejected criticism it is not doing enough to resolve the current crisis in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Chairperson Deirdre Toner said the board was "working around the clock" after a series of controversies.

The board met for more than eight hours on Thursday.

On Wednesday the Police Federation passed a vote of no confidence in PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton.

The organisation, which represents rank-and-file officers, also passed no-confidence votes in two other senior PSNI officers - Chief Operating Officer Pamela McCreedy and Assistant Chief Officer Clare Duffield - and criticised the board for its handling of recent events.

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

Ms Toner said due to an unplanned medical procedure, Mr Hamilton had delegated authority to a team of assistant chief constables.

She also said the Department of Justice had agreed to carry out a review of the Policing Board, which oversees the PSNI and holds its leadership to account

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

Outlining the recruitment process to find the next chief constable, Ms Toner said the process will open at the end of September and she hoped it would be completed by early November.

In a statement the board said its priority over the last few days has been to "bring stability and confidence" during an "unprecedented time for policing".

Vice-chair of the board Edgar Jardine said commentary on the Police Federation's no-confidence vote was unhelpful.

Legal advice

"Public commentary on individuals in the senior leadership team are not helpful and are not endorsed by the board, and that includes the federation vote," he said.

Sinn Féin Policing Board member Gerry Kelly echoed those words.

"I don't think that is helpful and don't endorse it," he said after Thursday's board meeting.

Trevor Clarke, from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said the board was taking legal advice on the appointment of an interim chief constable.

Nuala McAllister, from Alliance, said progress had been made but the issues would take time to resolve.

Responding to Mr Jardine's comments, the head of the police federation, Liam Kelly, said: "The decisions of the PFNI Central Committee were laid out in our media release yesterday and are a matter of public record.

"In line with our members policing without fear or favour, the PFNI will continue to professionally comment on matters as we see fit on behalf of our representatives and membership."

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.

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

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

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.

On Wednesday, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader 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.