Policing in NI has never been ‘more politicised and toxic’: PFNI

Policing in Northern Ireland has “never been more politicised and toxic” the chairman of the Police Federation has said as the fallout from the Bobby Storey funeral continues.
By Mark Rainey
Published 2nd Apr 2021, 18:24 BST
Mark Lindsay, Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.. Photo: Simon Graham Photography.Mark Lindsay, Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.. Photo: Simon Graham Photography.
Mark Lindsay, Chairman of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.. Photo: Simon Graham Photography.

With a broad range of unionist representatives now claiming the chief constable’s position is untenable, Mark Lindsay said Simon Byrne as “a lot of work to do” in the face of the “very worrying” stance adopted by mainstream unionism.

Earlier this week the Public Prosecution Service announced that none of the 24 Sinn Fein members investigated for potential breaches of the Covid regulations at the funeral last June would face charges.

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The PPS said that engagement between the PSNI and the funeral organisers, as well as ambiguity in the legislation, made the prospect of a court conviction unlikely.

First Minister Arlene Foster reacted to the PPS decision by calling for Mr Byrne to stand down. She said: “The position of the chief constable is now untenable and I am calling on him to resign. Sadly, it is now clear confidence cannot be rebuilt with him in post.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme on Friday, Mr Lindsay said he was “not surprised” at the political reaction to news of the PPS decision.

“I am surprised there was no decision to prosecute – whether that is through the actions of policing or through the actions of the PPS – but I’m not surprised at the politicisation of policing,” he said.

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“I think that is one of the most disappointing things, 23 years on today from the Good Friday Agreement, policing has never been more politicised – it has never been more toxic in our society.”

Asked if the PFNI has confidence in the chief constable, Mr Lindsay said: “I think he has a lot of work to do. I think he knows that”.

Mr Lindsay said he has “serious reservations” that some of the actions taken against the officers involved in the intervention at the Ormeau Road atrocity commemoration in February “were to do with political pressure”.

Commenting on whether calls for Mr Byrne to resign are fair, he said: “They are very worrying. I think whenever we see unionism almost united over this I think it presents problems for everybody.”

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However, Mr Lindsay backed the chief constable’s in relation to the PSNI’s prior engagement with the funeral organisers.

“This is what happens on many major events. We engage with organisers and we try to ensure their is either a... peaceful outcome, or that evidence is collected and then presented to the PPS,” he said.

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