The leader of the DUP, Ian Paisley, has condemned today's announcement by the British government of a plan to scale down the British Army's presence in the North and change the way the region is policed.
Under the plan, locally-based battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment will be disbanded, many army observation posts will be closed, and the number of troops will be reduced to around 5,000 in the longer term.
The British government also hopes to repeal, within two years, counter-terrorist legislation particular to Northern Ireland if security conditions are right.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Peter Hain, made the announcement today following last week’s decision by the IRA to end its armed campaign.
Mr Hain said the safety of the people of the North was paramount and nothing would be done without the agreement of the police.
Dr Paisley said the plan was more evidence of bad faith by the British government, who he said was surrendering to the IRA.
He said the DUP would not be rushed into a timetable by republicans on the return of devolved government.
The British government also hopes to repeal within two years counter terrorist legislation particular to the North if security conditions are right.
