Everyone involved in the peace process in Northern Ireland understands the crucial importance of having a police force which all traditions can respect and support. The excellent work done by Chris Patten was the bedrock on which we have all tried to build.
Much has been made, in recent weeks, of a supposed distortion or undermining of the Patten recommendations as we try to translate them into law, and there have been allegations of bad faith on the part of the British government. It is depressing that such allegations should gain currency. The reality is that we very much want a new police service representative of the whole community it serves. We are determined not to be deflected from this goal. And we have worked hard to take account of all legitimate concerns.
The Police Bill faithfully enacts those parts of the Patten report which require legislation (and many recommendations can be implemented without legislation as set out in the implementation plan).
The report made 175 recommendations. Of these, 167 have been accepted by the British government. Of those that remain, two have been partly accepted, four are being considered further and two do not fall to the government to implement. Some cannot be fulfilled yet until the security situation has stabilised further.
The Patten report explicitly recognised that "the pace of change in some areas will depend on the security situation", a qualification which Brendan O'Leary (in yesterday's Irish Times) selectively omits from his one-eyed analysis of the Patten report.
In short, whatever Prof O'Leary claims, we have tried very hard to make the Police Bill reflect as far as possible Patten's radical vision while ensuring that the recommendations are workable.
Some may genuinely continue to have reservations about our approach. We know that there were real concerns about the initial draft of the Bill. To meet these concerns, the British government has moved on a range of issues from the Code of Ethics to the terms of the police oath; from the important issue of the powers of the Policing Board to those of the Police Ombudsman.
We have made over 60 changes, most at the specific request of the SDLP whose input has been helpful and constructive. The resulting changes should ensure that the legislation reflects even more fully Patten's recommendations. Some recognition of the extent of the changes made might, in a more generous world, be thought due.
The question of the name of the new service has been one of the most neuralgic issues. But we have made clear that the name is being changed to "The Police Service of Northern Ireland" in line with Patten's recommendation and that that name, and that name alone, will be used in all the police's dealings with the public. A new police service badge and flag will be introduced to coincide with the name change. But before a final decision is made on this, the Police Board, on which nationalists, republicans and unionists will be represented, needs to have its input.
So the fact is that the British government has listened. And we have acted on what we have heard. We believe the Bill as it stands is a faithful reflection of the Patten report.
But the legislative process is not complete and we will continue to work with the parties to try to address any outstanding points.
The United Kingdom wants a modern, civic police service rooted in all parts of the community. That is a vision everyone involved shares. We therefore remain committed to a full, honourable and faithful implementation of Patten's recommendations.
We have got over many hurdles in recent years to try to give the people of Northern Ireland and their children a peaceful and prosperous future. With hard work and good will on all sides, I am sure this is one we will be able to surmount too.
As for O'Leary's rhetorical allegations of mis-management and "low-grade Machiavellian conduct", I can see he believes more in playing the man than the ball.
Good knock-about copy; full of froth; short on substance and accurate analysis.
Sir Ivor Roberts is British ambassador to Ireland
