Unionist politicians have accused the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, of being contradictory after he said he intended to proceed with the Patten plans for reform of policing in Northern Ireland.
Mr Mandelson said yesterday he would be announcing in the new year the outcome of the consultation process about the Patten report which contains several controversial proposals relating to changes to the RUC name, badge and symbols.
"I intend to implement Patten's proposals but, I hope, in a way that carries the support and goodwill of both communities," Mr Mandelson wrote in yesterday's London Independent.
Mr Gregory Campbell, the DUP security spokesman, said it would not be possible to fully implement the proposals and command the support of the unionist community. Unionists were unhappy with several aspects of the report, but in particular they could not tolerate the proposal to change the name and symbols of the RUC.
Ms Arlene Foster, an Ulster Unionist Party member of the anti-agreement Union First organisation, said she found Mr Mandelson's comments disappointing and contradictory. Implementation of the report would alienate the general unionist community, she added.
A Sinn in Fein spokesman expressed some concern that the legislation necessary to implement Patten might fall short of what the report was recommending.
Mr Alex Attwood, an SDLP Assembly member and spokesman on policing issues, said he would be reassured if Mr Mandelson's comments meant he was going to fully implement Patten. He did not accept that unionist opposition to the proposals was as widespread as some unionists claimed.
Mr Mandelson, in his article, also said any moves on demilitarisation would happen in a balanced way. "I am aware of the balance we must keep between, on the one hand, scaling down the security forces' profile as quickly as possible to reflect the huge change there has been in Northern Ireland, while, on the other hand, not leaving people vulnerable to attack from dissidents on both sides, who oppose progress," he added.
