Adams must make positive recommendation on policing - Ford

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 28th Dec 2006

Alliance Party Leader David Ford has said Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams must make a positive recommendation on policing to his party, otherwise any meetings held on the subject in January will be meaningless.

David Ford stated: "A comprehensive Sinn Féin move on policing is long overdue. However, any move which gives a clear recommendation in favour of accepting and supporting policing would be helpful to ending the stagnation in the process.

"To this end, the Sinn Féin leadership must give clear direction to the party ahead of any Ard Fheis. If an Ard Chomhairle helps achieve this, that is fine. But there is no time to lose, and any recommendations must be clear.

"For democracy to work in Northern Ireland, it needs the full participation of all sides. Support for policing is essential to this."