PM pledges to fight dissidents

Published Wednesday, 09 February 2011
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Prime Minister David Cameron has said that the PSNI will have adequate funding to fight the threat from dissident terrorists.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

The UK Government is currently considering a bid from PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott to supplement the region's police budget over the next four years in order to deal with the threat, which remains "severe".

Responding to a question in the Commons from DUP MP David Simpson, Mr Cameron said:

"I have met with the chief constable on several times since I became Prime Minister. He came to the meeting of the National Security Council where we discussed the security level in Northern Ireland. We will do what is necessary to make sure the security and police and everything else is properly funded.

"I have to say that it's right now that these issues are devolved that there is greater decision and greater efforts in the frontline in Northern Ireland but, of course, we will always stand by to help if necessary."

It seems Treasury is looking positively at additional cash to fight dissident threat. A final decision will be taken shortly.

UTV's Political Editor Ken Reid on Twitter (@KenReid)

Mr Simpson said: "People should be in no doubt that if the dissident terrorist threat is not stamped out now it will become a UK-wide problem. This is no mere localised problem, this is a matter of national security."

Justice minister David Ford has backed the bid for more money from the Contingency Fund to deal with the threat.

Earlier this week he said: "If that were not made available, then the entire budget for the Department of Justice would be in major jeopardy and I believe it would be an indication of serious difficulty, frankly, for the entire process of the devolution of policing and justice."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
1 Comments
j in Downpatrick wrote (469 days ago):
I'd rather he pledged to get out of Ireland all together. The UK government is a joke, give us a referendum on leaveing the UK and we'll see what the majority really think of our so called government up on the hill and over the water.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES