THE chairman of the Northern Ireland Police Authority, Mr David Cook, is expected to discuss his future with the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, today. The authority passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Cook and another leading member, Mr Chris Ryder, on Wednesday.
Both men are refusing to resign. Only Sir Patrick, who appointed them, has the power to remove them. Unionist politicians believe that they should be sacked. The authority is a watchdog body for the RUC.
At least one member of the authority - the PR executive, Ms Sheila Davidson, who tabled the motions - has said that she will resign rather than serve under Mr Cook.
Mr Ryder said: "The progressive policies for which I stand and have campaigned will not go away and the authority will still have to convince the community of its worth."
The vote against Mr Cook was 12 to six and that against Mr Ryder 13 to five.
The motions maintained that both men had "seriously undermined" the authority by discussing issues in public which had yet to be agreed and adopted.
Mr Ryder described the body as a "performing poodle" in a recent television programme.
Mr Cook and Mr Ryder argue that the authority is not prepared to play a full role in dealing with sensitive issues, such as the flying of the Union Jack at police, stations and the RUC oath to Queen Elizabeth.
The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, claimed that the two men had "damaged the name and standing of the authority beyond repair" and should be sacked.
Mr Bryan Johnston, the chairman of the authority's finance and personnel committee, said that it was totally committed to openness and to actively contributing to the debate on the future of policing in Northern Ireland".