The TUV candidate for Newry and Armagh Keith Ratcliffe and his Upper Bann colleague Darrin Foster today met senior local PSNI officers including Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Superintendent Bernard O’Connor.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Ratcliffe said:
“We had a constructive meeting with the PSNI at which we raised a number of serious concerns which the Unionist community have with policing at the current time. There is a widespread lack of confidence in the PSNI following the hands-off approach to the Bobby Storey funeral last year and the reality of a much more robust approach when it came to protests against the Protocol where minor alleged offences resulted in young loyalists getting a knock at the door.
“Of particular concern to many is the South Armagh Review of Policing and its insulting proposals that memorials to officers murdered in the line of duty could be hidden away from public view. We were assured today that this proposal has not been progressed. We will be keeping a close eye on this matter.
“We also sought a meeting with PSNI colleagues covering South Armagh itself to explore the many criminality issues which bedevil that area, not least smuggling.”
Mr Foster added:
“I commend the PSNI for reaching out to TUV and facilitating a frank exchange of views. It was a good meeting in which we left the police in no doubt about the problems they face in terms of attempting to regain the trust and confidence of Loyalists. I trust our message will be heeded and that going forward there will be ongoing engagement with our party.”