Federation calls for apology from Sinn Fein over offensive Chief Constable remarks

The Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, Mark Lindsay, says comments made by the President of Sinn Fein about the selection of a successor to the Chief Constable are ‘wholly inappropriate and offensive.’

Mary Lou McDonald, when asked about the selection of a new Chief Constable, said she couldn’t see how a replacement for George Hamilton could come from within the ranks of the PSNI.

Reacting, Mr Lindsay said: “This amounts to extraordinary interference in an open and transparent selection process. Sinn Fein’s representatives on the Northern Ireland Policing Board will have a role to play in deciding on Mr Hamilton’s successor, and to adopt this public position now is wholly inappropriate, offensive and ill-judged.

“Her comments will call into question the objectivity and credibility of Sinn Fein representatives who will be involved in that selection process.Her comments have placed her party’s representatives on the Policing Board in a difficult position and in the interests of fairness to senior PSNI officers who might put their names forward for the post, I call on the Sinn Fein President to reflect on her grave miscalculation and apologise.

“Senior officers in the PSNI do not deserve to be treated as some second-class candidates in this competition. They are people of integrity who work for the entire community and should not be disadvantaged in this manner.

“For Sinn Feinto attempt to interfere in a properly run selection process does nothing to enhance the party’s stated position on fairness and equality.”