Ulster Unionist MLA, Alan Chambers, has stated that the Justice Minister should act promptly and decisively to deal with Gerry Kelly`s membership of the Policing Board following his tweet glorifying IRA criminality.
Alan Chambers MLA said:
“I was very disappointed by the response of the Justice Minister to my Assembly question about Gerry Kelly`s position on the Policing Board. I asked the Minister what she was going to do about Mr Kelly given that she has powers under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 to remove a member of the Policing Board.
“There is nothing in legislation that prevents her giving immediate consideration to exercising her legal ability to remove a member from the Northern Ireland Policing Board. The Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 clearly gives her the power to remove a member from the Policing Board under a number of articles, two of which read; 1/ is not committed to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means; 2/ is otherwise unable or unfit to discharge his functions as a member of the Board.
“The Justice Minister states that she cannot make decisions until the Policing Board has completed its process. I would encourage the Minister to reflect on her comments and reconsider what the legislation actually states. The responsibility for taking action lies with the Justice Minister.
“Whilst it is absolutely right that the Justice Minister condemns Mr Kelly's comments in his tweet, what is required is prompt and decisive action by the Minister to restore public confidence in the Policing Board. This is not the first time that Mr Kelly has undermined public confidence in his membership of the Policing Board.”