OVER THE PAST few months, Northern Ireland has seen a spate of angry protests by loyalists after a council decision to restrict the number of days the Union flag could fly outside Belfast City Hall.
Chief Constable Matt Baggott issued a statement today in response to what he described as a “incredibly volatile situation”.
He said his force has been dealing with the flag protests over the past months “with great patience and professionalism” but claimed the work was “all the more difficult” because of the “absence of political consensus”.
Baggott confirmed that he had personally briefed political leaders last week. He argued against First Minister Peter Robinson’s claim that there was a perception within unionist communities that policing was treating them “unfairly”.
“Conversely, we have received very favourable feedback from across all communities regarding our measured approach,” he said.
“For weeks I have been warning about the consequences of law breaking and the fact that evidence was being gathered. There should be no surprise with the outcomes.
“I reminded the First Minister that prosecutions and bail decisions are made independently by the PPS and judiciary against very stringent criteria. Each case is unique and I have not seen any unfair interpretation of the rules or due process.”
Concluding, Baggott called for renewed political dialogue and innovation as part of the solution to the current dispute over the restricted flying of the Union flag at Belfast City Hall.
His statement in full:
Over the past months the PSNI has successfully dealt with an incredibly volatile situation with great patience and professionalism. A situation made all the more difficult by the absence of political consensus. All of our actions have been taken impartially and within the rule of law. No one has been seriously injured.For weeks I have been warning about the consequences of law breaking and the fact that evidence was being gathered. There should be no surprises with the outcomes.
Last week, out of courtesy, I personally briefed all of the mainstream political leaders on our consistent approach and progress. I welcome such dialogue and challenge. At yesterday’s meeting with the First Minister he raised the perception within unionist communities that policing was treating them unfairly and outlined such concerns being raised with him.
Conversely, we have received very favourable feedback from across all communities regarding our measured approach.I reminded the First Minister that prosecutions and bail decisions are made independently by the PPS and judiciary against very stringent criteria. Each case is unique and I have not seen any unfair interpretation of the rules or due process.
Policing does not hold the solutions alone to the current dispute and grievances which requires renewed political dialogue and innovation. In this regard, I will support fully the development of the Shared Future Strategy and look forward to this with optimism.
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