Statement by TUV spokesperson John Brennan:
“News that the two officers who intervened following a breach of the Covid regulations on the Ormeau Road only did so after receiving direction to do so by their superior officer further tarnishes the reputation of the Chief Constable.
“In his zeal to appease the clamour on social media and in his eagerness to be seen to jump to the tune of Michelle O’Neill – who is the last person who should have anything to say about Covid regulations – he blamed a rookie officer who had sought, received and acted upon guidance from his superiors and threw him under the bus.
“This officer had a right to expect due process but he didn’t get it. The public comments by the Chief Constable and his willingness to treat a young officer like this is something which in my view he cannot recover from. He needs to go.”