Speaking about the NI Affairs Committee Report, Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan said:
The publication of the NI Affairs Committee Inquiry Report brings further scrutiny to the current and future challenges facing policing here, and emphasises the areas where focus and refocus is required, particularly in respect of service resourcing and representativeness. Issues which the Board articulated in both its written and oral evidence to the Inquiry.
Whilst the Board will wish to consider the findings, conclusions and recommendations in detail and in discussion with the Chief Constable, it is without doubt welcome that the Committee clearly acknowledges and calls for the cost of legacy to be removed, ring-fenced and resourced by the Westminster Government.
This is an issue which the Board has raised directly with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and we would now hope that this report will prompt an appropriate response from him. It is clear to everyone that the PSNI is being damaged financially and reputationally by the failure of the Westminster Government to provide funding for this “exceptional” cost.
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