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| Daily Dispatch 26 Jan 07 ‘HEADLESS CHICKENS’ SHOULDN’T LASH OUT ON POLICING - MAGINNESS Speaking ahead of the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis on policing which takes place this Sunday and after Martin McGuinness unnecessarily attacked the SDLP this morning, SDLP Justice Spokesperson Alban Maginness MLA stated: “It is clear that Martin McGuinness and other senior figures in Sinn Fein are feeling somewhat nervous in the build-up to the policing Ard Fheis on Sunday. That is understandable, but fumbling and rattled attempts to sully the SDLP record on policing two days before their own meeting to decide on doing the very same thing are immature, embarrassing and undignified. Attacks on people like Seamus Mallon who worked tirelessly to uncover collusion and work for the new beginning to policing also carry absolutely no credibility with the nationalist people. “We know that this is a difficult decision for Sinn Fein – we took the same decision five years ago. But accepting policing now no longer carries big risks as the SDLP has already done all the heavy lifting. With over 86% of Patten already implemented and the new beginning to policing bedded in and working for all the community there is little risk and no excuse for not fulfilling what Patten required of all parties. Sinn Fein should do it, not only because it removes a DUP veto on the policing of nationalist communities, but also because it is simply the right thing to do. “Sinn Fein should be concentrating on ensuring that they carry enough support within their own ranks to pass an unambiguous, unconditional motion supporting the new beginning to policing that the SDLP has secured. Trying to divert attention by lashing out at the people who they will need support and advice from when they finally join the Policing structures is not in the best interests of the nationalist people. Sinn Fein may have lost the argument on policing but it is now time to move on, to join with the SDLP in working on taking forward Nuala O’Loan’s recommendations on collusion and working to bring an end to plastic bullets, on building a positive policing agenda so that old people are safe in their homes, young women are safe on the streets and young men are safe on our roads. Leadership is not about bluster and hype; it is about taking difficult decisions for the right reasons. I hope that finally, Sinn Fein will realise that this weekend.”
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