Plans for reform of the RUC will get the go-ahead early next year, the Northern Secretary, Mr Peter Mandelson, says in an interview in today's London Independent newspaper.
Mr Mandelson indicated he would implement controversial proposals published in September by Mr Chris Patten, a former minister and now European Commissioner.
He added that he also wanted to scale down security forces in the province. "I intend to implement Patten's proposals but I hope in a way that carries the support and goodwill of both communities," he said. A British government source said: "We are not going soft on the report. It will be implemented but in an extremely careful and sensitive way. It will not be done overnight. It will happen over a period of time and with caution."