The RUC Chief Constable has said that new policing arrangements in Northern Ireland will not work fully without the backing of all political sides. Sir Ronnie Flanagan said that it was crucial that the SDLP signed up to the plan. The party has reservations about the proposed force and has been resisting pressure to nominate members to the Policing Board, which will oversee the re-structured force.
In a BBC interview, Sir Ronnie also confirmed that undercover surveillance operations would be reviewed in a bid to thwart further Loyalist pipebomb attacks in Larne, County Antrim. He said that he had no doubt that members of the Loyalist paramilitary grouping, the Ulster Defence Association, has played a role in the campaign of violence in the town. Last year, there were 76 sectarian attacks in the town, the vast majority against Catholics.
