Limavady police man up for top political gong

Inspector Steve Haslett has been shortlisted in this year's Slugger O'Toole Political Awards for his work with Limavady DPP. The PSNI Inspector was announced as one of the nominee's for the Creative Engagement category for his work within the community including his work on reducing road deaths. Three nominees for each of nine categories were chosen at an event attended by over 100 people last Thursday. Inspector Haslett is up against Ards PSNI and the DUP Party Conference for the Creative Engagement gong. Mick Fealty, who runs the political discussion website Slugger O'Toole, described how politicians, journalists and community organisations were going head-to-head to scoop a prize.

He said: "It's been a tricky year for those in public office in Northern Ireland with the recession, corporate governance issues and personal problems, but we hope that the Slugger Awards can acknowledge those who are doing good work in politics, the media and society. It's all too easy to complain, and I'm sure we all do it, but sometimes it is important too to give the nod to those who are making a difference."

The Awards will be held on February at Belfast's Black Box in association with public affairs company Stratagem and sponsored by Channel 4. East Derry MLA John Dallat has also been nominated in the Constructive Opposition category with PAC colleagues Dawn Purvis, Patsy McGlone.

Quintin Oliver of Stratagem added: "The Slugger O'Toole Awards have firmly established themselves in the political calendar. Sometimes we forget how far politics has come here, so this ceremony will give us the opportunity to move beyond the regular political discussions, debates and criticisms and to celebrate excellent work that has been done in the past year."

This is the third time the Slugger O'Toole Political Awards have been held, with Peter Robinson, Martin McGuinness, Dawn Purvis and Naomi Long having been winners in previous years.