Republican News · Thursday 14 November 2002

Nothing new in Queen's Speech

Sinn Féin policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly said there was nothing new in the Queen's Speech, deliered at Westminster on Wednesday. There hasd been much advace speculation in the media that the britidh government woud use the speech to make a major announcement on on policing in the Six Counties.

"We already knew that the British government was going to bring forward amendments to the policing legislation," said Kelly. "They publicly committed themselves to this after the all-party discussions at Weston Park last year. But the government have also conceded that these amendment still falls short of fully implementing the Patten recommendations.

We need to see completion and an end to the piecemeal approach. We need to see the Patten recommendations implemented in full. The onus is on the British government to deliver on its Good Friday Agreement obligation on policing."

Meanwhile, it was announced on Wednesday that Direct Ruler Paul Murphy has invited all parties in the Stormont Assembly to a round-table meeting at Stormont on Thursday.