Sir Ronnie Flanagan is set to stay on as Chief Constable of the North's police service for longer than expected, according to reports. A member of the Police Board told news agency Press Association that Mr Flanagan will not leave office until next September at the earliest.
Mr Flanagan had indicated to the board that he was prepared to stay on until his replacement was found. This process would take months. A senior police source said: "Would anyone want a new Chief Constable to have to face the marching season immediately on taking office? We are looking at September onwards and the start of a `new season'."
Mr Flanagan gave his notice at the end of November, shortly before Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan's highly critical report on his handling of the Omagh bomb enquiry. He is due to issue a detailed rebuttal of many of the report's accusations later this month.
