Chief Constable Simon Byrne says he is unable to discuss Ormeau Road arrest with civilian oversight panel due to Ombudsman probe

On Monday Mr Byrne gave an extended interview to the Nolan Show where he defended the action he had taken against the two constables responsible, saying that their bodycam footage had shown their actions did not align with the values of the PSNI.  He did not mention that the probationary constables had only intervened in the event after asking advice from senior officers, which was revealed the next day by the Police Federation.The arrest took place on the Ormeau Road in Belfast on Friday after an event to mark the murder of five people at Sean Graham bookmaker’s by the UDA in February 1992.

Two PSNI officers were directed to intervene by superior officers due to concerns that Covid regulations were being breached by the size of the gathering.

A survivor of the atrocity, Mark Sykes, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.

But after an outcry about the arrest, Mr Byrnes suspended one officer involved, repositioned another and apologised for their conduct.After meeting the Policing Board this morning, Mr Byrne said he had a constructive meeting where he provided members with “an update on the post incident challenges and their management arising from the incident at Ormeau Road on 5 February and an overview of the current challenges faced by the Police Service”.

He added: “As the incident itself is under investigation by the Police Ombudsman I was unable to discuss any of the detail nor am I in a position to make any further public comment.”

The PSNI has told the News Letter that due to the Police Ombudsman investigation into the conduct of the two officers, it is unable to say if it is investigating potential criminal offences it previously published in relation to conduct of civilians at the event.

However the Police Ombudsman has told the News Letter that the PSNI is free to answer this question - as the watchdog does not investigate allegations of civilian criminality. The watchdog said that by contrast, it has asked the PSNI not to discuss the conduct of the officers in question, which is its duty to investigate.  

Mr Byrne said today that he welcomed the recognition from the Board as that the PSNI is currently operating in “a very challenging and difficult environment”.

He also welcomed the commitment from the Board to work with him to address the challenges the PSNI faces, not least the potential for a reduction in police officer numbers following the draft budget allocation for 2021-2022.

“I remain strongly committed to enhancing both community policing and confidence in the Service,” Mr Byrne said. “I will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders over the coming weeks and I will provide updates to the Board on progress on a monthly basis”.

Policing Board Chair Doug Garrett said that discussions in the meeting had “focused on issues relevant to the incident on 5 February and around wider concerns from recent events”.

He added: “With the matter under investigation by the Police Ombudsman the Board is now restricted in public comment on the incident.

“That said, Board Members are agreed that the policing of Covid-19 Regulations has proven to be challenging.  All members recognise the environment that policing has had to operate in, and the impact real time policing incidents have had on community views, perceptions and overall morale within the service itself.

“The different perspectives and views around policing style, approach and community relationships will need further consideration by the Board. However, there remains a consensus and commitment from all of our Board Members to work with the Chief Constable as we move forward in dealing with the issues.”

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