There is still time for the British government to get its policing reforms in Northern Ireland right, a senior SDLP figure said today.
North Belfast MLA Mr Alban Maginness said more progress could be achieved in securing nationalist support for police reforms.
Mr Maginness was speaking before a meeting his party is due to have with Northern Ireland Office Security Minister Mr Adam Ingram at Stormont.
The party is also due to discuss policing reforms with the RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan tomorrow. It has already met members of the RUC's Change Management Team.
Mr Maginness said: "The series of discussions initiated by the SDLP reflects how central the policing issue is and how critical is the need to get policing right.
"Progress was made in the Police Bill and further progress can realise the new beginning for policing that we all seek. The [British and Irish] governments and the police know the outstanding issues and with will and imagination they can be resolved."
The SDLP's talks with Mr Ingram come amid renewed pressure on them to break ranks with Sinn Féin and nominate members to the Police Board which will hold the new Police Service of Northern Ireland accountable.
The party has so far refused to nominate members to the Police Board despite warnings of a "calamity" for the peace process from Northern Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson.
Sinn Féin has set its stall clearly against nominating members to the board and urging young nationalists and republicans to join the new police service.
The SDLP and Sinn Féin have been accused by the Alliance Party leader Mr Séan Neeson of jeopardising the Belfast Agreement with their "arrogance" over policing.
PA