Ulster Unionist Justice Spokesperson, Tom Elliott, has hit out at Sinn Fein following their actions during the passage of the Criminal Justice Bill in blocking the Chief Constable retaining DNA and fingerprints for longer if necessary for the purposes of investigation.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said;

‘Retaining DNA and fingerprints is vital to the PSNI as they investigate crime and leads to the conviction of criminals. Therefore, the decision of Sinn Fein to attempt to impede the Chief Constable in applying to an independent Commissioner to retain DNA and Fingerprints when it is in the interests of public protection to do so is absurd and unjustifiable. This comes after their recent decision to block the National Crime Agency (NCA), whose remit was to tackle serious and organised crime, from becoming fully operational here to tackle serious and organised crime.’

‘The Ulster Unionist Party understand that compliance with a European ruling is necessary and as a result DNA and fingerprints cannot be held indefinitely. The measures in the Criminal Justice Bill are intended to carry out those amendments. Whilst we are committed to maintaining a retention framework which is as robust as possible, Sinn Fein, through a Petition of Concern, have sought to jeopardise the ability of the Chief Constable to make decisions in the interests of justice. If they have their way, should the PSNI want to retain DNA and Fingerprints for longer in order to protect the public, they will be subjected to potentially lengthy and costly judicial proceedings.’

‘This is not the correct way forward and I would urge Sinn Fein, as well as the SDLP who - as in the NCA debate - find themselves on the wrong side of the argument, to desist from playing politics within the Justice system at the expense of public safety.’