PSNI Chief Constable reiterates confidence in Sinn Féin's commitment to exclusively peaceful means

THE GASYARD FÉILE’S 'Uncomfortable Conversations' panel in Clooney Methodist Hall in Derry didn’t disappoint as a full hall heard a range of opinions on how we build peace and reconciliation after the conflict.

The venue was chosen as a neutral space in order to encourage all traditions to participate and while the majority of the audience was from the nationalist community, the unionist community was also represented.

Panellists Patricia McBride (former Victims Commissioner), Alan McBride (whose wife was killed in the 1993 Shankill Road IRA bomb), PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton, and Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney were ably marshalled by Chairperson Catherine Pollock.

After a short intro, from each panellist, the debate was opened up to the floor. At the beginning, George Hamilton was being grilled as question after question was directed towards him on the failure of the PSNI to deliver on legacy inquests and the murder of Derry citizens on Bloody Sunday.

As the debate opened up, George Hamilton outlined his confidence in the bona fides of the Sinn Féin leadership's commitment to exclusively peaceful means.

Declan Kearney replied by saying he had confidence in the bona fides of the Chief Constable and his leadership in relation to delivering a new beginning to policing. Both agreed to disagree on recent political events caused by PSNI comments, and Declan used the opportunity to robustly set out his assessment of the IRA having left the stage completely.

The use of covert human intelligence sources and agent provocateurs was raised. While the PSNI chief said these were now strictly controlled, Declan highlighted the unacceptable role of other agencies, including MI5 acting against the interests of the Peace Process. He stated that new policing arrangements must not be contaminated by these agencies' use and control of agents provocateurs.

● Alan McBride, George Hamilton, Catherine Pollock (Chairperson), Declan Kearney and Patricia McBride

Alan McBride raised with Declan the issue of victims and talked about criminality in the killing of Robert McCartney, Paul Quinn and Kevin McGuigan.

Declan responded by reiterating that these were criminal acts and that Sinn Féin's support for the PSNI in bringing their killers to justice was absolute. He also spoke how we have to move from a hierarchy of victims and expressed regret for the deaths of everyone in the conflict, including combatants from all sides and civilians.

Patricia McBride, prompted by a remark on the floor, stated that direct rule could create space for local politicians to work on a way forward and be different from previous versions.

Declan said if the Assembly falls this would represent a huge setback for the process and that he couldn’t envisage it returning any time soon. This would mean all the hard work to transfer powers from Britain would be lost and the Tory Government would have a free hand to impose austerity.

And so it finished. Different opinions exchanged in an atmosphere of respect. It seems that once we start talking, the less uncomfortable it becomes.