Police chiefs deny financial package claims

Police chiefs in the North today poured cold water on Sinn Féin claims they were happy with the British Prime Minister’s financial package for achieving the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice to the Stormont Assembly.

Police chiefs in the North today poured cold water on Sinn Féin claims they were happy with the British Prime Minister’s financial package for achieving the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice to the Stormont Assembly.

They made it clear they had not seen details of the package offered after a series of talks between Gordon Brown and the North's First and Deputy First Ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said: “The Chief Constable has not had sight of the details of the settlement for the devolution of policing and justice.

“However we can state that we are encouraged by the progress to date and we look forward to working with the Northern Ireland Policing Board on taking the proposal forward.”

Sinn Féin is poised to formally accept the Mr Brown’s package but Mr Robinson insists he will not be rushed and still needs clarification on certain aspects of the offer.

However, addressing a dinner for the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust in Belfast last night about the most recent discussions with Mr Brown he said: “The funding offer from the Prime Minister which we received goes beyond anything on offer previously.”

The Democratic Unionist Party will eventually decide whether to accept the package and Mr Robinson wants it rubber-stamped by David Cameron as he could be in Downing Street within months.

Mr Robinson also wants discussions with PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott and David Lavery, director of the Northern Ireland Court Service, before making his decision.

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