Despite mounting calls for resignation, Byrne stands firm following Policing Board discussions.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has resisted calls to resign after a lengthy meeting with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, which concluded with a legal issue preventing further public commentary. Despite the growing pressure, Byrne remains steadfast, asserting, “I’m not resigning.”
The discussions focused on the controversial actions taken against two junior officers involved in the arrest of Mark Sykes, a survivor of the 1992 Sean Graham bookmakers attack, during a Troubles commemoration in Belfast in 2021. A recent court ruling quashed the disciplinary measures against the officers, with Mr. Justice Scoffield stating that their actions were influenced by concerns over Sinn Fein’s support for policing. While Sinn Fein denied this, unionists accused Byrne of caving to political pressures, further intensifying calls for his resignation.
The meeting on Thursday evening came after a turbulent period for Byrne, who is also dealing with the fallout from a major data breach that exposed the personal details of PSNI officers to dissident republicans. Despite the legal issue raised during the meeting, Byrne insisted that he would review the court’s judgment and consider whether to appeal the decision.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) expressed disappointment in Byrne’s stance, with its chairman, Liam Kelly, accusing him of further antagonising rank-and-file officers. Kelly, who described the situation as damaging to officer morale, announced that the PFNI’s executive committee would hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss whether to call a vote of no confidence.
In the aftermath of the meeting, Policing Board members indicated that the legal issue required further consideration, though details were not disclosed. Some members, including DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, reiterated their calls for Byrne’s resignation, while Sinn Fein’s Linda Dillon clarified that the party had never threatened to withdraw support for policing.
As the situation unfolds, the PSNI faces increasing scrutiny, with calls for a root-and-branch review of the Policing Board’s effectiveness in holding senior officers accountable.
