uuptoday.org

The news that Sinn Fein representatives are to take up their positions on District Policing Partnerships (DPPs) several months before the bodies are fully reconstituted has been criticised by Ulster Unionist MLA and member of Fermanagh DPP, Tom Elliott, as a “further sweetener and concession to republicans”.

Mr. Elliott was responding to a proposal that could see Sinn Fein political representatives joining the partnerships within the matter of a few weeks with the other positions not being reappointed until as late as April 2008.

In a statement the Fermanagh and South Tyrone assemblyman said: “To have Sinn Fein’s political representatives joining the DPPs before they are fully reconstituted is unacceptable. This premature action is not conducive with the notion that DPPs are to allow a community’s representatives to have an input into and assist in shaping local policing by the simple fact that for several months these bodies are not going to be reflective of their districts.

“If these plans go ahead my own DPP will not accurately reflect the political makeup of Fermanagh by having an under representation of people from the unionist community. Sinn Fein are likely to have four members appointed, which will create a huge disproportionate imbalance in the community background makeup of that DPP.”

Tom continued by adding: “Whatever your view may be on Sinn Fein being involved in policing I think I speak for most people when I say that there should, at the very least, be a level playing field for all. This move to permit their representatives onto the partnerships is certainly not a move that represents an evenhanded approach and to many looks like a further sweetener to republicans.”

Tom concluded: “Republicanism should not be getting this sort of preferential treatment for their belated desire to fully sign up as law abiding citizens and I fail to see why they cannot wait until the full reconstitution of DPPs takes place next year.”