Hermon to exploit wide-ranging Bill
Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon will seek to exploit the wide-ranging nature of the Northern Ireland Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to pursue a number of issues, including the current discriminatory police recruitment procedure. Speaking from Westminster after the Second Reading debate, she said:
“As this legislation is so wide-ranging in nature, it will provide opportunities to pursue a number of issues not currently within the Bill, including the eradication of 50/50 police recruitment. I will certainly seek to exploit the scope of this Bill with amendments at Committee stage, and welcome the support indicated during the debate by other Northern Ireland MPs.”
The North Down MP continued:
“I’m also very pleased to see that the final decision on the devolution of policing and justice will be left to a future Assembly. Since any such decision will require cross-community support, devolution of policing and justice cannot be pressed upon the Unionist community without its consent and agreement. This is a positive and most welcome development in relation to matters of such vital importance within Northern Ireland.”