THE DUP has reacted angrily to Sinn Féin Minister Conor Murphy’s claim that he would have “reservations” if his children were to join the PSNI, the Garda or the Irish Army.
The Newry and Armagh MP said the PSNI, in common with the Garda and police forces throughout Britain, was “conservative and male-dominated”.
"Those cultures need to be challenged and need to change. It's not just about the PSNI – it's the same with the guards and the Metropolitan police service in Britain. There is an attitude that is ingrained in people who are in charge of upholding the law," Mr Murphy told yesterday's Irish News.
In other interviews following publication, Mr Murphy stood by his comments but said he regretted the Irish Newshad concentrated heavily on his comment about the police when he had commented on other issues.
“If somebody had asked me would I urge my kids to join the Irish Army, I would have given the same answer,” he added.