McClure warning on police budget

Alderman McClure is urging the Government to save Northern Ireland's police from the brunt of public sector cuts, warning of terrorists' "demonic intent" to kill.

He said: “The threat from dissidents in their campaign of violence and murder is a real and present danger for the brave men and women of the PSNI and the people of Northern Ireland.

“The plain fact is that dissident activity in the Province had grown over the last three years, nurtured by evil and ruthless men and women.

“Give them, the Real IRA, Continuity IRA, the chance and they will kill. Their demonic intent is to murder. They want to destroy a heard-earned peace and destroy the political avenue chosen by all those seeking a stable future for the Province.”

He added: “The Government must recognise the legacy of the Troubles means special circumstances in Northern Ireland.

“Building confidence in legitimate policing has been difficult but successful and now there is a real threat to all the progress that has been achieved not solely from dissident republicans but from the Government.”

Alderman McClure said: “Finding economies through greater efficiency is one thing but denying funding to retain manpower to deal with a very real threat is another. It is unacceptable and the Prime Minister and Chancellor must realise the dangers to the peace and stability of this part of the United Kingdom by savage cuts to the Police Service.”