The Ulster Unionist Party Leader Steve Aiken OBE MLA, and Mike Nesbitt MLA, the Party’s Policing Board representative, have spoken to the Chief Constable Simon Byrne to provide support to the PSNI following recent violent disorder which has seen a number of officers injured amidst disgraceful and shocking scenes.
Steve Aiken OBE MLA said:
“Today I spoke to the Chief Constable to let him know that the Ulster Unionist Party stands fully behind the men and women of the PSNI as they bravely hold the line between law and order and anarchy. Our thoughts and best wishes are with the injured officers.
“Last night we watched images of the police coming under attack from rival crowds on the peace line in scenes that were a chilling throwback to several decades ago.
“Anyone with influence must speak out now to support the police and to do everything possible to reduce tensions and prevent young people being manipulated into carrying out attacks on the police. To those involved in these scenes, I say to them, stop it now. Wrecking the area you live in is beyond foolish. You are advancing no cause or grievance and you are only bringing shame. There is no excuse for the thuggery we have seen.”