SDLP leader John Hume has said that a deal on policing in Northern Ireland is very close. Mr Hume is confident that details could be worked out shortly which would encourage young Catholics to join the service. He said: "We're now saying we're very, very close to resolving the final difficulties and in the near future we will be setting up the new police service." Mr Hume was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster. The SDLP and Sinn Féin have refused to endorse the proposed new force, which is to be renamed the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
