Reconnaissance vital & must be free from political interference

 

 

South Belfast DUP MLA and Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Jimmy Spratt has welcomed the introduction of reconnaissance troops in the fight against dissident republicans. Mr. Spratt also urged nationalist parties to stop interfering with the operational independence of the PSNI. Commenting, Mr. Spratt said:

 

"Northern Ireland is a much better place now than in the days when the Army were a permanent fixture on our streets. It is vital therefore that every possible measure is taken to maintain this and stop those who seek to drive us back to darker times. 

 

Only this week the threat posed by dissidents has been described as severe by the intelligence services. In the fight against dissident republicans the deployment of reconnaissance troops is welcome, and will be invaluable, as we seek to quell the threat posed by these criminals. 

 

However, it is vital that their work is free from the political interference which we have witnessed from some nationalist politicians in the last few days. It is not the place of any member of the Policing Board to seek to undermine the operational independence of the PSNI. The SDLP and Sinn Fein should realise their job is one of accountability. 

 

Rather than play pathetic politics with security, nationalists should be welcoming this latest measure in the fight against dissident republicans."