A Sinn Féin delegation lead by North Belfast MLA Mr Gerry Kelly met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen today. The meeting was said to have addressed the issues of police reform and the forthcoming criminal justice review as well as the loyalisy protest the Holly Cross school in Ardoyne.
Following the meeting Mr Kelly said: "The Good Friday Agreement requires a new beginning to policing. That is a policing service which is representative, free from partisan political control and accountable."
He said: "The British government Policing Act does not meet these requirements or the requirements of the Patten report."
"The British government implementation plan is designed to implement that flawed Policing Act. It does not and cannot amend the legislation. The Policing Board, the Chief Constable or political parties cannot amend this legislation. The only people who can amend the Act are the British government," he added. He said: "The SDLP and the Irish Government's support for the British government's policing proposals have effectively sundered the broad consensus that had emerged on this issue."