The Real IRA tonight issued a death threat against Denis Bradley, the vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
The dissident group threatened to kill him hours after he urged Catholic members to face down terrorists attempting to "bully" them out of the new policingarrangements.
Mr Bradley urged them to stand up to the intimidation.
The Real IRA's response was to issue what it called an "exclusive deaththreat" against Mr Bradley.But at the same time it said it considered all members of the districtpolicing partnerships legitimate targets.
Last month Mr Bradley received bullets and a Mass card through the post.He claims Real IRA threats against Catholics on Northern Ireland's 26 DPPscould wreck the whole Patten blueprint for reforming policing in the province.
Urging members to hold their nerve Mr Bradley commented: "The only way of youever beat bullies is to stand up to them.
"People who know who might be in the Real IRA, and who is supporting thiscampaign, need to take a stance.
"If policing is driven back into a situation of security being the number oneagenda, then you cannot implement Patten."
PA